WATERBURY, Conn. (WFSB) – Friday Night Football at Waterbury’s Municipal Stadium is back for this coming school year.
Last year, Waterbury Public Schools shifted the times of Friday night games after a large fight broke out and several teens were arrested.
“There were a number of spectators there. It was quite chaotic,” said Nicholas Albini, Waterbury Public Schools.
The district responded by moving those Friday night games to Friday afternoons or Saturday mornings.
This year, the Friday night lights will be back on, but expect a few changes.
“IdentiMetrics, finger scanning,” said Albini. “We’re starting it in the schools on the first day of school. We’ll make sure the people that are entering the school belong in that school.”
They’ll use that same system to keep track of which students are at the games.
More cameras are also being installed, all of which the Waterbury Police Department can view in real time.
There will also be at least seven officers at each game.
“This is meant to be a fun event with a lot of high school spirit. So, we want to bring that back,” said Albini.
One of the big changes that you will see on Friday nights is the use of more barricades and construction fencing that limits where spectators can go. This is to prevent people from wandering into some less visible areas, including underneath or behind the bleachers.
“Keep them on the bleachers or near the fence. I think it’s great, because they’re not going to be wandering and be able to get into that type of fight,” said Naiomi Pacheco, Crosby High School Student.
Naiomi Pacheco is going into her senior year at Crosby High School.
She was a cheerleader last year. She says that at times she noticed the crowds at municipal stadium get rowdy.
Pacheco says some parents missed the rescheduled games. She hopes the new safety measures bring back the fun of football on Friday nights.
“It’s great because there’s going to be many more people, and the football team players are going to feel so much more hyped and excited. I just think it’s great overall,” Pacheco said.
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