MHSAA postpones Michigan high school football to spring 2021
The Michigan High School Athletics Association has decided to postpone football until spring 2021.
According to Fox 2, Executive Director Mark Uyl announced that other fall sports in the low to moderate risk categories will continue forward. Practices have begun in the other sports and competitions may begin in golf and tennis on August 19 and cross country on August 21.
He says the decision while being difficult was due to football being high-risk for contacting the COVID-19 virus.
The MHSAA statement:
Earlier today, the Representative Council made the difficult decision to postpone football until the spring of 2021. This decision was based on feedback and input from the Governor’s office, state health department officials, member schools, collegiate conferences, and individuals on both sides of the issue.
Plans will be shared soon regarding allowed fall coach-player workouts as well as concepts for the spring football season dates, format, and playoffs. Know that all other fall sports in the low and moderate risk categories are moving forward. Practices have begun in all those other sports and competitions may begin in golf and tennis on August 19 and cross country on August 21. The Representative Council will be meeting again next Wednesday to finalize the competition calendars for boys soccer, girls swimming, and volleyball.
Further guidance regarding these indoor facilities in Phase 4 is coming to schools next week. At the end of the day, we did everything we could to find a path forward for football this fall. With all input received, along with school feedback from the first week of practice, there was just too much uncertainty and too many unknowns to safely play football this fall.
While there is disappointment today that we could not play football this fall, we are encouraged and motivated to find the best possible plan to fit football in with existing seasons to give all of our kids the best experience possible. Please look for our next update to reach you on August 19 with finalized plans and dates for the remaining fall sports. Thank you.
