High school sports are paused in the state of Michigan due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic; the sports affected include basketball, wrestling, hockey and competitive cheerleading.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association spoke out on Friday, requesting for activities to resume sooner than the scheduled February 21 deadline.
Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard issued a statement on his personal Twitter feed in support of high school athletes in Michigan, expressing disappointment in the decision of the pause and hoping to see activities resumed soon.
“MY HEART pours out for all the Michigan High School athletes who cannot participate in their sports,” the statement from his personal Twitter account reads.
“As you know, I have, and will continue to stress that the PRIORITY FOCUS be on the safety and health of EVERY athlete. It is VITAL!”
“My hope is that every high school in Michigan can put the RIGHT measures in place to resume their sports QUICKLY AND SAFELY.”
“These young athletes, ESPECIALLY THE SENIORS, were looking forward to a GREAT school year and COMPETITIVE season.”
“The continued DELAYS are disappointing many of these young men and women are relying on a SUCCESSFUL season to help them EARN a college scholarship and pursue their lifelong DREAMS.”
He was joined by Oakland coach Greg Kampe, who issued a statement of his own:
He said, “We support our leaders and their decisions, now we ask you to support us.”
“I am not a scientist of a politician,” Kampe, who battled COVID-19 before the start of his season, wrote in a Twitter post last week. “The last 10 months have been hard on all of us, and most have battled and lived by the rules our leaders have put in place. College athletes get this year back, there have stimulus checks for many, and unemployment benefits to others.
Meanwhile, Let Them Play, Inc. is threatening a lawsuit should activities not be immediately resumed.
“We have been having productive conversations with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services,” reads a statement from Let Them Play, Inc, via clickondetroit.com. “We remain hopeful that a lawsuit will not be necessary and the state health department will recognize the science and data supports immediate resumption of high school athletics.”
– – Quotes via Sam Marsdale of 247Sports Link – –
