As students gear up to take on “Friday night lights” they may be unaware of one significant change.  Last June, a new policy was proposed by a member of the Central Piedmont Conference to raise admission prices for football and basketball games from $6 to $7 a game.

“One of the members of the Central Piedmont conference proposed the hike in prices,” said principal Brad Royal.  “This price increase was adopted by five schools in our school system: Glenn, West, Reagan, East and Reynolds.”   

This new policy may come as a surprise to many, due to the fact that this is the first price increase in five years. It was a change that was necessary in order to accommodate for the increase in security, as well for the expense of game officiants.  

“In November at its annual winter board meeting, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association approved a pay increase for high school officials — now a $90 charge per referee for football and $100 for basketball,” reported the“Winston-Salem Journal.”

Although security and the cost of officiants are  major factors for this new policy, there are also other expenses that brought about this change.  The truth of the matter is that high school sports are expensive, and oftentimes do not receive adequate funding to maintain field conditions, equipment and jerseys.  

“I wish there was a money tree that would grown in our backyard where there was an endless supply of money.  Though sadly that is just not the case,” Royal said. “High school athletics are expensive, but are very important as an avenue athletes.  High school athletics are not paid for by the state and the district only provides minimal funding. In order to be able to provide the opportunity we have to have a way to provide for it financially.”   

Though this policy will allow for athletic events to continue across the district, many students are not a fan of this new price increase.

“I can only afford to order off the Taco-Bell value menu, this price increase is going to make me starve,”  said senior Lainey Williamson. “In all seriousness though, I am not a fan of this new policy. For the past couple the entrance price has been the same for the past couple of years, so I am used to it.”

Some students do not feel one way or another about the price raise; they do not like having to pay an extra dollar to take part in what some view as a high school tradition, the opportunity to attend a Friday night football game.  Many also understand the position CPC is coming from, in order to provide for the rising cost of high school athletics, as well as for these extracurricular activities to continue, there needs to be a way to pay for it. 

“As a high school student, I don’t have a constant way to make sure I have spending money in my pockets.  I understand why this change is necessary for the athletics to continue at this school,” senior Anastasia Katsiada said. “I like going to football games, therefore I will continue to pay and go. But I can also understand why others would be upset.  Some people actually afford to pay the extra dollar, and all students should have the opportunity to take part in this event that creates memories that will last for a lifetime.”

The truth of the matter is, people do not enjoy paying more for anything, even if it is only a dollar.  Athletics provide an outlet for some students who may not have the opportunity to so otherwise. These extracurricular activities allow students to improve their athletic abilities, make new friends, and overall make the high school experience more enjoyable.  In order for students to continue to have the ability to take part in these school funded activities, there needs to be a way to pay for it.