Michigan Pauses High School Sports For Three Weeks.

Written Sunday November 15th at 8:30 PM

The MHSAA has paused all fall and winter sports in compliance to Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health of Human Services epidemic orders for three weeks on Sunday night.

Whitmer stated the reason why is the increase in coronavirus cases throughout the State. She included closing movie theaters, casinos, indoor dining in bars and restaurants. Whitmer also suspended in person learning as well for High Schools.

The MHSAA made a statement regarding the pause after Whitmer's press conference. “We understand the need for action and we will explore all options to complete our fall tournaments when restrictions are lifted. We will assess everything over the next three weeks relative to fall and winter sports and come up with a plan that keeps up connected to our goal, for months of having three seasons that are played to their conclusions” said MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl.

Football had three weeks left in their season while Volleyball and Girls Swimming and Diving were onto their final week of the season. Winter sports were about to start up soon with Girls Basketball starting last week.

MHHS director Robert Gordon made an interesting statement why High School sports were impacted in the new order because of contact risks. “We are suspending organized sports for three weeks because they bring together people in setting that often involve high levels of contact and exhalation and where individuals move from outdoors to indoors like locker rooms.”

It will be very interesting to see what happens in three weeks.

Thoughts

I was very disappointed on Sunday night and was heartbroken for all the student athletes even though their seasons are not cancelled, just postponed. There will be a lot to work out though when restrictions are lifted.

I’m really bothered with Whitmer, Gordon, and Joneigh Khaldun. I feel they ignored the mental and emotional component to sports and put these restrictions on student athletes. If they read this I want them to do some sole searching.

Bottom line I feel like we are living March 13^th all over again.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, just got to get there together.