LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Michigan High School Athletic Association said fall sports will begin the 2020-21 school year as traditionally scheduled, but with some contingency concepts for possible interruptions due to COVID-19.
The MHSAA Representative Council met virtually with MHSAA staff on Wednesday to discuss ideas for playing sports starting in August. They will meet again on July 29.
High school football practices are scheduled to begin Aug. 10 with other fall sports to start practice Aug. 12.
The plan calls for fall sports to be played as scheduled, but the start of some or all fall sports practices or competitions could be delayed.
The next step in the plan calls for lower-risk fall sports that can be played to be completed, but higher-risk fall sports will be postponed until later in the school year.
If the sports must be suspended, they will be rescheduled during a calendar that could see winter sports begin in November followed by the end of fall and spring seasons potentiallyl extending into July 2021.
The plans will have to align with the MI Safe Start Plan.
“Our student-athletes just want to play, and we’ve gone far too long without them playing. But doing so safely, of course, remains the priority,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “Our plan moving forward is Fall in the Fall, starting on time. We’re excited to continue moving forward to bring back sports safely. It’s important for keeping students in our schools and keeping students in our sports programs.
“We remain grateful to the Governor for the opportunity to build the schedule and policies for returning sports to schools. We will continue to support her directives and those of the state and local health departments as we work to create the safest environment for all involved in our activities.”
