Michigan High School Athletic Association member schools will begin the 2020-21 school year playing Fall sports as traditionally scheduled, but with contingency concepts for potential interruptions due to the spread of COVID-19.
Currently, high school football practices are scheduled to begin August 10, with all other Fall sports to start practice August 12.
If the situation deems it necessary, the start of some or all Fall sports practices or competitions could be delayed. The next step in the plan’s progression calls for lower-risk Fall sports that can be played to be completed, with higher-risk Fall sports postponed until later in the school year. If all Fall sports must be suspended, they will be rescheduled during a reconfigured calendar that would see Winter sports begin in November followed by the conclusion of Fall and Spring seasons potentially extending into July 2021.
A concept that considered swapping Fall and Spring sports was determined not to be a feasible plan.
Plans remain reliant on progression by schools and regions across the state according to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan. Currently, two regions are in Phase 5, which allow for a limited indoor activity, while the rest are in phase 4 and unable to host indoor training, practice, or competition.
“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.
The MHSAA staff is building COVID-related policies for Fall Sports and will make those guidelines and precautions available to member schools as the season approaches.
