An executive order from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put a moratorium on all high school sports in the state through December 8, as well as indoor dining. As a result, football, volleyball, and girls swimming and diving were all put on pause.
And now, the MHSAA is issuing a plea to Whitmer – let us finish.
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“What we’ve heard from at least a half-dozen different county health department officials over and over is the virus was not being spread during the school day,” said MHSAA executive director Mark Uyl. “It was not being spread at practice and it wasn’t being spread at games, whether that be teammate to teammate, much less opponent to opponent.
“And we’ve heard that from several different states, too.”
Earlier in the week, MHSAA officials met virtually with the health department and government officials, laying out their case as to why they believe activities should resume.
“We were able to point out two dozen different non-school facilities that were just continuing on like nothing’s happening right now in terms of restrictions,” Uyl said. “We wanted to impress on them that kids are going to go find activity and if you’re going to shut us out, it doesn’t mean that kids aren’t playing.
“Let’s have our kids playing and let’s have them be able to do it in the safest environment possible.”
With the expiration of the initial order expiring next Wednesday, the MHSAA, which is in regular contact with health officials across the state, is earnestly hoping that winter sports teams, including boys and girls basketball, will be allowed to resume.
“We don’t know what data numbers they’re looking at,” said Uyl, “but the statistics compiled all fall show that not only can we play, we can play safely and we’re hoping for that chance come next Wednesday.”
There are three weeks remaining in the 11-player football playoffs, as well as two weeks remaining in the 8-player playoffs.
– – Quotes via Mick McCabe of The Detroit Free Press Link – –
