ST. LOUIS – Frustrations and disappointment in North St. Louis as fans are turned away from Vashon High School’s basketball games because of new attendance restrictions.
The decision, made by Saint Louis Public Schools, comes after a fight broke out at another school Vashon played at this week. Vashon supporters say their team is being unfairly punished.
“They’re not letting us in and it’s very disappointing! And it had nothing to do with Vashon High School. And last year and this year, there have been no incidents at the school at all,” Jenny Washington, aunt of a Vashon High student, said.
A packed house was expected for Vashon’s highly anticipated home opener game against Nebraska’s Millard Park High School, but instead, only players & parents were allowed inside.
“I felt very disappointed! I’ve been coming to Vashon games for some years and I’ve never been turned away to attend any of their activities here and some of the parents are getting turned away as well,” Nelson Brown, spectator, said.
No Vashon students were involved in the recent fights that triggered the restrictions.
“I’m definitely calling down to the board of education! Going down to the St. Louis board of education and talking to whoever implemented this because this is unacceptable! Like, especially since it had nothing to do with the district,” said Washington.
Fans who purchased tickets in advance will be refunded and the game was livestreamed for those who could not attend in person.
“It’s my understanding that a parent knew that there was possibly a fight being planned. She notified law enforcement. . . While we were deescalating, small pockets of groups started fighting,” Mitch McCoy of the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department said.
It remains unclear whether these attendance restrictions will extend to future games. For now, Vashon fans will have to support their team from a distance.