CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced attendance changes for two games this Friday after multiple security incidents at football games in the Charlotte area this season.
CMS made the changes for the following games: North Mecklenburg at Julius Chambers and Harding University at West Charlotte.
All students and anyone under the age of 21 must be accompanied by an adult at the North Meck vs. Chambers game, the district said. The adult cannot bring more than four people to the game. Stadium security will also enforce standard rules that prevent standing at concession stands and will require fans to stay on their side of the field.
At the West Charlotte vs. Harding game, only pre-sold tickets will be accepted at the gate, meaning no tickets will be available to purchase at the stadium. Fans will not be allowed to exit and re-enter the stadium and no bags will be permitted. West Charlotte students must have a wrist band and a ticket. They must also be accompanied by an adult over 18. All individuals must have a pre-sold ticket to enter the game. Seniors age 65 and older will be admitted for free, as will children under 6.
These changes come after other districts in the Charlotte area have seen fights lead to game postponements and cancellations. In Iredell County, Friday's games will now kickoff early after several issues at Statesville High School. There was also a large fight at Harding in September, which led to police clearing the stands.
“I was like, 'Wow' -- I didn’t know what to say," student Samaria Jackson said.
At least one person was hurt in the fight between multiple students.
For Greg Jackson with Heal Charlotte, he said the level of violence can't be ignored, and it's troubling to see it impacting kids and teenagers.
"It’s a war zone for these kids," Jackson said. "The things we send them to, to invest in their lives, sports, can not be a demise to their life.”
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.