The Michigan High School Athletic Association says its seasons are continuing, despite Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s request for a two-week pause for all youth sports. Whitmer made the comments at a Friday morning news conference where she expressed concern about rising case counts in Michigan, many of which are occurring in young people. She also asked high schools to switch to remote learning for two weeks.
The following is from MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl:
Dear MHSAA Community
We hope this note finds you doing well. With the Governor’s remarks from earlier today, we wanted to provide a brief update to member schools. All Final basketball games will be played today and tomorrow as scheduled.
With the continued mitigation efforts that have been in place since January for winter sports, we will continue to play as safely as possible. The efforts by staff of the MHSAA and Breslin Center have been extraordinary in following all safety protocols as we complete our basketball season. The basketball Finals will conclude all winter sports, as well as finishing all indoor high school sports for the school year.
The current MDHHS emergency order from March 19 remains unchanged. Spring sports can continue with weekly testing as required by MDHHS during weeks where schools are practicing and/or competing. This is based on all remaining sports being outdoors and spring sports have the fewest contact sports when compared to other seasons.
School districts will make local decisions for the coming weeks on spring sports based on local conditions and circumstances. If a school district wishes to pause activity, the MHSAA offers the following for consideration by member schools.
1. All spring MHSAA tournaments will be held as scheduled. Schools may voluntarily delay practices and competition in some or all sports with no impact on MHSAA tournament participation this spring.\
2. If practices and/or competitions are held, weekly antigen testing must occur.
3. Remember that regular season games delayed or rescheduled can be played up until the MHSAA Final in each sport.
4. Strongly reinforce all existing protocols including proper wearing of face coverings and sanitization.
Again, our plan remains that all spring MHSAA tournaments will be held as scheduled.
Thank you. Mark Uyl MHSAA Executive Director
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