Rapid testing allows fall tournaments to finish
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has been given a green light to complete the fall sports tournaments under a new pilot rapid testing program.
On Friday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a continuation of the epidemic order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that will last until Jan. 15.
However, some restrictions were lifted and the MDHHS has come to an agreement with the MHSAA to be able to complete fall sports in a safe manner through rapid testing.
“We will also be offering a new pilot program for fall sports, in
cluding contact sports, that use antigen tests in order to ensure safety as students complete high school fall championships,” MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said. “This is a very limited number of schools that had seasons interrupted.”
Football, volleyball and girls swimming & diving will resume practices on Monday, Dec. 21 and will begin the rapid testing program, which will be provided free of charge by the MDHHS.
“This will be a chance to do two things: It will let students complete a season that is, of course, very important to them. And it will let schools and the state of Michigan work together to learn how we can use antigen tests to encourage safe reopening in January,” Gordon said.
The 11-player football regional finals will take place on Saturday, Jan. 2. The semifinals will then be held on Saturday, Jan. 9, while the state finals will be concluded on Jan. 15-16. The 8-player semifinals will be held Jan. 2, with the finals being held on Jan. 9.
The volleyball quarterfinals will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 5. The semifinals and finals will then take place from Jan. 7-9 at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.
For girls swimming & diving, the state finals will be held at one of three locations based on division. The diving finals will take place Jan. 15, while the swimming finals will be held Jan. 16.
All of these sporting events will be held without spectators due to the current restrictions put on by the epidemic order limiting gatherings both indoor and outdoor.
While the fall sports will be able to conclude, winter sports largely remain on hold. Boys and girls alpine skiing, which is outdoors and non- contact, can resume practice on Monday.
“While we’re certainly thrilled with the opportunity for our fall kids to get some closure on their seasons, certainly we’re continuing to advocate for our winter athletes,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “As you’ve heard us say for weeks that not only were we able to play this fall, but we were able to play safely.”
The MHSAA Representative Council will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 22 to discuss details for the rest of winter sports.
The MHSAA also stated today that all spring 2021 sports are expected to begin on time and play complete seasons, concluding with their traditional MHSAA tournament dates in May and June.
During Friday’s press conference Whitmer lifted the ban on in-person learning for high schools beginning on Monday.
Back on Dec. 7, Whitmer expressed her focus was on returning high school students to the classroom before worrying about returning them to athletics.
“As a parent of a high schooler, and as the Governor of Michigan, I believe that our first priority should be getting students back in the classroom safely,” she said on Dec. 7. “That I believe is paramount”
Whitmer did express that if the COVID-19 numbers decline substantially prior to Jan. 15, she and the MDHHS will consider lifting restrictions earlier. No details were provided as to what those numbers would have to look like for restrictions to be lifted.