Officials Remove Food Ban At One Abilene Sports Complex
By: Brendaliss Gonzales, bigcountryhomepage.com
Updated: September 16, 2012
ABILENE -- Most Abilene residents already know not to pack up any food or drinks to take to Shotwell Stadium since outside food is banned.
However, many were surprised after the same rules were implemented at smaller fields like the lee sports complex.
Many may say a football game isn't complete without food.
Except at the Lee sports complex in Abilene- you just couldn't bring your own the beginning of this football season.
"We've always been allowed to bring our drinks in and this year they said no and they didn't let us know until we got here," said Susan Byerly, a Midland resident who was at Abilene to watch her son's middle school football game.
That's after a new rule banning outside food and drinks.
Many fans were surprised to see a new sign stating that no outside food or drinks were allowed inside as they handed in their ticket stubs.
"Concession stands can get expensive and if you're already coming in to watch a football game and especially if its your own child you should be able to bring in your own drinks," said Janet Pettit.
Some even decided to break the rules.
"She did sneak in her lemon," said Byerly, pointing to her mother, whose a diabetic.
Others gave in and joined the line at the concession stand.
Or just enjoyed the game from the outside- with their own snacks.
"I wanted my water and some shade so we ended up just sitting out here," said Abilene resident Raquel Rodriguez.
But after just a few weeks, Abilene school officials have decided to take that rule back.
"There was just a lot of discussion and stuff about maybe doing a better job about communicating in advance next time of implementing the policies," said Jerry Gayden, athletic director for the Abilene School District.
So fans no longer have to be welcomed by a trashcan.
And they can now return to their regular sports programming with snacks in hand.
Officials say the changes only apply at the Lee complex and not Shotwell Stadium.
However, many were surprised after the same rules were implemented at smaller fields like the lee sports complex.
Many may say a football game isn't complete without food.
Except at the Lee sports complex in Abilene- you just couldn't bring your own the beginning of this football season.
"We've always been allowed to bring our drinks in and this year they said no and they didn't let us know until we got here," said Susan Byerly, a Midland resident who was at Abilene to watch her son's middle school football game.
That's after a new rule banning outside food and drinks.
Many fans were surprised to see a new sign stating that no outside food or drinks were allowed inside as they handed in their ticket stubs.
"Concession stands can get expensive and if you're already coming in to watch a football game and especially if its your own child you should be able to bring in your own drinks," said Janet Pettit.
Some even decided to break the rules.
"She did sneak in her lemon," said Byerly, pointing to her mother, whose a diabetic.
Others gave in and joined the line at the concession stand.
Or just enjoyed the game from the outside- with their own snacks.
"I wanted my water and some shade so we ended up just sitting out here," said Abilene resident Raquel Rodriguez.
But after just a few weeks, Abilene school officials have decided to take that rule back.
"There was just a lot of discussion and stuff about maybe doing a better job about communicating in advance next time of implementing the policies," said Jerry Gayden, athletic director for the Abilene School District.
So fans no longer have to be welcomed by a trashcan.
And they can now return to their regular sports programming with snacks in hand.
Officials say the changes only apply at the Lee complex and not Shotwell Stadium.
