GHSA Screws Sandy Creek

All Smiles's picture

Saturday, head coaches from Sandy Creek & Griffin High Schools met to flip for home field for this Friday’s State AAAA Semi-Final match-up. Sandy Creek’s Chip Walker won the toss thus the game would be played at The Battlefield in Tyrone. This afternoon, the GHSA announced the game was being moved to Griffin because the seating capacity at Sandy Creek was inadequate (GHSA Constitution – pg. 68, sub section C1).

Ok, so maybe the seating capacity is not the required 4,000. How many seats short is it? How long does Sandy Creek have to rectify the problem? The GHSA used their “Iron Fist” and instead of telling Sandy Creek what needed to be changed and allowing adequate time to do so, they just move the game.

Come on GHSA, give Sandy Creek a reasonable amount of time and I’m sure the additional seating can be added by the means of bleachers (as outlined in the GHSA Constitution – pg. 69, sub section C1f) like what was done several years ago at FCHS.

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Wanted a home game, but....
Michael Boylan's picture
Submitted by Michael Boylan on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 3:09pm.

Three of the nine teams that had coin tosses to get home field in the quarterfinals last week lost.

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Your title should be "Fayette County Screws SCHS again"
Submitted by TyroneTerror on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 2:22pm.

Once again the incompetent people of the FCBOE screw Sandy Creek. Its no secret that Sandy Creek continues to excel inspite of the efforts of the FCBOE to make sure they don't. It started with the gerrymandering of the attendance zones and now stadium capacity is an issue. How long before someone takes the FCBOE to task for their treatment of SCHS?

The stadium at SCHS pales in comparison to the stadiums of Fayette County, Starrs Mill, Mcintosh and their beloved Whitewater. FCBOE was gracious enough at one time to put in a new track, however they covered up the drains for the Football Field during the installation. The field hasn't drained right since. After the first big rain we had this year it has been a wet sloppy mess. The area behind the home stands floods every time it rains, so you have to walk through about 6 inches of water to get to the stairs to go to your seats. I'd be willing to bet you don't find that at any of the other schools' stadiums.

Isn't there something called "Equal Protection" in the constitution? Any Takers?

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TyroneTerror
hutch866's picture
Submitted by hutch866 on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 6:38pm.

If you were there at FCHS's stadium after any of the rains we had this year, you could quit your crying, our field was a mess, after our LaFayette Marching Classic I was one of the band parents out there on Monday attempting to fix the field and sidelines so no players would be hurt on the following games.Our field doesn't drain worth diddly either so get over yourself. I don't think you could get 4000 people at any stadium in Fayette County so again, get over it. Why don't you and mamadip go have a pity party together.

BTW, good luck Sandy Creek, bring a title home to Fayette.

I yam what I yam....Popeye


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This just plain Wrong!
Submitted by Dondol on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 11:12am.

GHSA should have given Sandy Creek a 48 hour period to have ample seating in place, if they couldn't then move the game to a neutral stadium. Not only have they given home field advantage to Griffin, but they have taken much needed Dollars away from the school in gate receipts and concessions.

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The stadium is not big enough..
Submitted by Spyglass on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 10:00am.

Flat out that's a problem. I'm not sure how you can blame anyone. The rules are there for everyone to see. All that said, still a shame for Sandy Creek...good thing is, Griffin isn't very far and their visitors side is fairly large. Everyone should be able to get in that wants in.

Just take 74 south through PTC, GA85 (right) south for about 3-4 miles, then left (EAST) on Hwy 16 into downtown griffin. The stadium will be on the right in town.

I've also heard the game will be televised on CSS.....ch 45 Comcast.

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Sandy Creek v. GHSA
Submitted by Daniel Ross on Mon, 11/30/2009 - 10:36pm.

The AJC has a nice article summing up the reasons why the field of play changed.

To sum up, 6000 seats are required to host a playoff game. The GHSA typically waives this policy until the semis (which are played at the dome). Sandy Creek's administration, upon the revelation of said rule, decided to turn itself in, which resulted in the game moving to Griffin.
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Rumors are fun, but facts are nice

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Sandy Creek's High School Seating
All Smiles's picture
Submitted by All Smiles on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 6:00am.

Daniel, the seating according to the rules set by the GHSA for AAAA (4A) states the seating capacity must be 4,000. The 6,000 seats you are referring to is for AAAAA (5A)


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I wish it was as simple
Submitted by Spyglass on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 10:22am.

as just bringing in a few bleachers...from GHSA..I'm guessing the cost of the extra bleachers and assuring they had proper sight lines caused quite a hiccup.

(d) Each principal of a school in the playoffs shall certify that the school stadium meets or does not meet football playoff requirements. If a principal certifies such information falsely, then $2,000.00 of such school's share of the gate receipts of the contest held in the noncomplying stadium shall be paid to the opposing team.

(e) The GHSA will mediate with both teams involved when there are concerns about the safety of a venue in regard to seating limitations.

(f) For Semifinal games, the host school may use portable seating to bring the stadium seating capacity up to the GHSA minimum as long as:

(1) the seating meets the standards of the industry and is installed by professional installers.

(2) all seats provide clear sight lines to the field of play.

(3) no costs for the temporary seating are taken out of game receipts.

NOTE: Any portable seating brought in for games in earlier rounds must meet these specifications.

2. One half of all permanent and temporary seats shall be offered to the visiting team, and it is the responsibility of the home team to regulate the seating so as to guarantee designated seating to the visiting team's supporters.

3. There should be adequate parking space with a recommendation of one (1) space for every four (4) spectators.

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