By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Beginning in October, schools will be required to accept cash for admission and concession stand sales at all school-affiliated events as part of Ohio House Bill 33, which was signed on July 4th by Governor Mike DeWine.
Since the pandemic, the OHSAA and many schools have went to online only for ticket sales.
According to an OHSAA memo, the law states a qualifying school means a school district or chartered non-public school that chooses to participate in athletic events regulated by an interscholastic conference or an organization that regulates interscholastic conferences.
Beyond sports, a school-affiliated event includes plays, musicals, or any other school-related event or activity that a district or school conducts, sponsors or participates in and for which a district or school charges admission to attend.
If a school doesn’t accept a cash payment from someone who wants to buy a ticket and there are tickets still available and that person shows they have enough money for a ticket, then that person will be given a free ticket for the event.
The law also states that each school must offer at least one location where an individual can pay cash for concessions.
Currently, it is believed that the law doesn’t apply to OHSAA tournament contests, which has also used digital ticketing since the start of COVID.
The OHSAA will provide directions later this month on how to handle ticket sales for schools that are currently all digital.
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com