COLUMBUS—State Reps. Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville, and Justin Pizzulli, R-Scioto County, have introduced legislation to ensure students are not priced out of watching their high schools participate in playoff games.

The proposed legislation will ensure that student tickets to athletic playoff games are priced lower than those of adults and will be the same whether they are purchased online or with cash. The legislation also guarantees if an event does not accept cash as a form of payment and the game is not sold out, the students would be admitted free of charge.

This legislation is the result of recent ticket price increases for students combined with an increase in the number of playoff games, while making it more difficult for students to purchase tickets at games using cash.

“The OHSAA should be ashamed of themselves for charging $15 for a ticket to get into a high school playoff game,” Edwards said. “These games are supposed to be about the school, community, team, band, cheerleaders, and families, but for the OHSAA, it is only about the money. There will be many family members missing games because of these outrageous costs.”

“High school football is Americana at its best and is an experience that should be able to be enjoyed by all,” Pizzulli said. “The cost of a game ticket shouldn’t be an obstacle. The OHSAA’s already bloated budget shouldn’t be built on the backs of the students they are supposed to serve.”

The measure currently awaits a bill number and committee assignment.