BATTLE CREEK, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – Thursday night’s boys high school basketball game between Battle Creek Central and Kalamazoo Loy Norrix was played without spectators in the stands at Loy Norrix High School.
Battle Creek Central defeated Loy Norrix 63-26.
While it had nothing to do with illnesses like a couple of years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an empty gym after it was announced this week that no fans would be allowed in when Battle Creek Central faced either Loy Norrix or Kalamazoo Central.
It was a joint decision by athletic directors at the high schools that was apparently made after a shooting last October outside of C.W. Post Field in Battle Creek near the end of a football game between Battle Creek Central and Kalamazoo Central.
But top officials with Battle Creek Public Schools say they were not included in the decision making process.
WWMT-TV reports Battle Creek Superintendent Kimberly Carter said in a statement, “The decision to prohibit spectators at the upcoming home basketball games against Loy Norrix and Kalamazoo Central high schools was not made in consultation with Battle Creek Public Schools district leadership. We are disappointed in how this was handled and communicated and we sincerely apologize to our student-athletes and their families.”
Carter went on to say, “Internal discussions are underway to look into how and why this decision was made and come up with some alternative solutions that will allow our athletic events to be fun, safe, and accessible for our student-athletes, their families, and the community.”
