An essential part of high school sports is having fans cheering on the athletes. This year has been unlike any other in so many ways. Oftentimes an overlooked effect of COVID on the athletic programs at Gorham High School (GHS) has been the lack of family and fan involvement.

The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) made it very clear at the start of the school year that no spectators would be allowed to physically attend any high school sporting events. This has been disappointing for both athletes and their supporters. Fortunately, people are still finding ways to tune in and stay connected.

Thanks to the NFHS Network, games this year have been streamed live for subscribers to watch. Portions of each subscription fee are returned to the GHS athletic department. Highlights and past games are available on their website as well. Check the GHS athletics website for more information on streaming.

Some parents, including Carlye Homan, have actually enjoyed this alternative.

“I loved being able to watch from home while I make dinner or on a break at work,” she says. Homan also expressed that watching clips over and being able to send them to family was very exciting. Mom of four, she appreciated the fact that it “took pressure off to be everywhere or to pick whose game to go to.”

People have also managed to physically watch games, but from afar. Parents have been seen lined up in parking spaces along fields and courses all throughout this fall season. Staying inside their cars has its perks: maintaining social distancing guidelines and staying warm!

Another tradition slammed by COVID is GHS’s fall sports awards. This ceremony is intended to recognizes athlete and their accomplishments throughout the season. Obviously this affair would not align with MPA guidelines, so it has been pushed back to the springtime. The fall season is currently scheduled to end on November 14.

Senior nights, also an opportunity to acknowledge athletes’ successes, were celebrated earlier in the season. This was to ensure seniors would get their recognition in case seasons were to end much earlier than anticipated. Celebrations varied from sport to sport.

Tournaments and championships also were different in each sport. Typically, football, soccer, field hockey, and volleyball would get their shot at a regional and/or state title. This year, only cross country and golf were able to do so. GHS’s golf team placed fourth at the State Championships, along with a couple impressive individual finishes. Both the girls’ and boys’ cross country teams qualified for the Class A State Championship, which is scheduled for November 11 and 14.