Overview

• Executive Director Rickey Neaves urged schools to halt tailgates on school property for the remainder of the football season.
• The recommendation followed multiple shootings tied to football events across the state, including Leland, Heidelberg, Alcorn State and outside Jackson’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, with at least nine deaths reported.
• Neaves asked schools to increase security at games, with special attention to student sections and high-draw events such as homecomings and rivalry matchups.
• He reminded schools to enforce bans on alcohol, drugs, tobacco and firearms and to remove anyone who appears intoxicated, on drugs or disruptive.
• MHSAA said any tailgating that does occur on school grounds must be supervised by school personnel or security, and the association offered condolences to affected families.