What SJO fans need to know about home basketball games this season

Earlier today, St. Joseph-Ogden announced the school's attendance policy for basketball spectators this season.

Following IDPH guidelines, schools may control the number of spectators for indoor sporting events up to a maximum of 50 per game in regions that are in Phase 4, or 25 at schools not in Phase 4. Spartan fans who wish to attend games must reserve their space with the school. Only two spectators per athlete will be allowed.

To protect players and fellow fans, every spectator will be screen for COVID-19 symptoms upon entry to the facility.

The latest IHSA guidelines also require all student-athletes to participate in masks -- with the exception of swimming and diving, gymnasts on an apparatus and outdoor events where social distancing can occur -- all game personnel not participating in the contest and spectators must wear masks and observe social distancing.

Below are the entry and seating information for SJO basketball games this season.

• The home team will provide a list of two spectators per athlete for each freshmen, JV, and varsity home game. Athletes and their families will need to communicate who is on this list ahead of game time so that we can keep accurate records of who is in the building.

• Spectators will be allowed to enter St. Joseph-Ogden High School through the north Commons doors fifteen minutes prior to tip-off. All spectators should park in the north parking lot, just outside of the Commons.

• Upon entry, spectators will be screened for symptoms. After being symptom screened, all spectators will need to report to the balcony seating area in the SJO main gym. Please sit on the Spartan head stickers taped to the balcony bleachers. Members of the same household may sit together.

• The gym will be cleared after the JV game is over, and the spectators from the JV game (or prelim game) need to exit the gym and return to their respective vehicles.

• Remember, masks must be worn at all times.

• No gathering in the gym or outside.

• Failure to follow IDPH guidelines will result in immediate removal from the facility.

• Concessions will not be available. There are water bottle filling stations located outside the main gym.

• Restrooms are located right outside of the northeast corner of the gym.

SJO football on tap, Spartans open on the road March 20

John Michael Ehmen plays defense for St. Joseph-Ogden in 2019
SJO linebacker John Michael Ehmen flows with the ball while playing in SJO's last football game in over a year. The Spartans are slated to return to action on March 20.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Seventeen days after they start practice in March, the St. Joseph-Ogden football team will play their first game of the 2020-21 school year on 20th. For those not keeping track, it will be the first time since the first round playoff game against the state champion Williamsville team back on November 2, 2019, that head coach Shawn Skinner and the Spartans will take to the gridiron. The season opener, featuring members of the Class of 2021, will at Illinois Valley Central.

The six game schedule also includes a non-conference Thursday night contest at Charleston against the Trojans on April 1. The five other games will be battles against fellow Illini Prairie Conference schools.

One highlight on this season's lineup is the Spartans will host just two home games during the abbreviated spring season.

The first one of the campaign is against Pontiac on March 26 and the second against Bloomington Central Catholic on April 16. Fans, who don't mind a short drive, can catch a third game at Unity's Hicks Field on April 9.

SJO's final contest of the season will be a Saturday game against Monticello on April 24, a team the Spartan program has not beaten since 2016.

The 24th will be the last official day of IHSA sanctioned football until August. Meanwhile, under the approved Illinois Department of Public Health plan, the IHSA's revised pandemic schedule for spring sports such as baseball, track & field and lacrosse will already be underway. Practices for those sports are scheduled to begin on April 5 with games starting as early as April 12.


2021 SJO Football Schedule

March 20 • at Illinois Valley Central
March 26 • vs Pontiac
April 1 • at Charleston
April 9 • at Unity
April 16 • vs Central Catholic
April 24 • at Monticello


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Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks