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Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: ImfromVirginia on October 06, 2026, 11:03:54 AM
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At Friday night's Grimsley (NC) at Varina (Richmond although not exactly Richmond) the Grimsley band was removed from the stadium after apparently being told multiple times not to play their instruments during live ball action. This was determined by game site management. Apparently, the Virginia High School League has a rule regarding the issue. The ironic thing about this is Grimsley alleges that Varina's band was doing the same thing. In one news report I saw, the Grimsley band director indicated he/she spoke with the white hat who indicated he would not flag Grimsley for playing. Have any of you guys run into anything like this during your careers?
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https://x.com/Travis5mith/status/1456857323159408640?s=20 From a few years ago.
I have worked a playoff game for this team, and it was the loudest band I've ever heard. On that end of the field, the ground was literally shaking from the sound vibrations.
In Texas, here is the guidance given to band directors: https://www.uiltexas.org/music/page/guidelines-for-bands-playing-during-football-games
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In NC, there are no restrictions on bands playing and very clearly stated as such. Officials have been told over the years that we cannot flag (or otherwise reprimand) the band.
That being said, I have been in a few games where we've had to tell the people in the press box to knock it off - both playing sounds over the PA at volumes much louder than a band could play, and making the stadium lights blink at inappropriate times. I've never had a case where they didn't listen to us though, where we'd have to escalate to a flag or something else though.
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In NC, there are no restrictions on bands playing and very clearly stated as such. Officials have been told over the years that we cannot flag (or otherwise reprimand) the band.
That being said, I have been in a few games where we've had to tell the people in the press box to knock it off - both playing sounds over the PA at volumes much louder than a band could play, and making the stadium lights blink at inappropriate times. I've never had a case where they didn't listen to us though, where we'd have to escalate to a flag or something else though.
That reminds me of a high school game early in my career. It was at a very small school and there probably weren't 1000 people in the stands for both teams. The PA announcer was very vocal throughout the game. The home team was on offense and as the defense ran a play we heard, "It's a reverse" come from the PA announcer. Needless to say, we had to ask him to stop talking. ;D