A combination of behavioral issues in the stands and budget constraints have pushed all but one of this fall’s Niagara Falls High School home football games at Sal Maglie Stadium to Saturday afternoons.
The only exception will be the Wolverines’ Homecoming game, which will be played at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 against Class AA North foe Williamsville North.
“When you add up those factors — crowd control and finances — it’s a decision we had to make as an administration,” NFHS athletics director Dan Bazzani said. “A number of local schools have all afternoon games, so I think it will be OK.”
Bazzani said that past crowd issues have translated into extra costs for the district as it has been forced to bring on additional security and support staff for night games. He added that the rising cost of using the lights at Maglie was also a factor.
Falls coach Don Bass understands the decision, but knows his players are less than pleased.
“The kids enjoy that opportunity to play under the lights on a Friday night, but unfortunately it is what it is,” he said. “Honestly, whenever they tell us we have to play, we’re going to show up and play our best football.”
NFHS opens its season at 2 p.m. Sept. 5 when its hosts St. Joe’s of the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association in non-league action.
Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.
Sports
July 2, 2009
HS FOOTBALL: Niagara Falls to play mostly day games
- Sports
-
- NCCC plans to stay on top
- Starpoint, Tonawanda prep for sectionals
- DeWitt does it all for Falls in playoff win
- Lew-Port ladies advance to A-2 final
- Joyce jumps to three wins at NFL championships
- NCCC falls shy of national title
- Sophomores play key role in Falls' run
- NCCC baseball advances to national finals
- Krueger on track for NFL three-peat
- Falcons baseball, softball master NT
- More Sports Headlines
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
