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Muskegon Hts. getting weary from road games

Posted at 4:48 PM, Sep 18, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-18 16:48:47-04

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. - Violence in Muskegon Heights neighborhoods is taking its toll on the school system and student athletes, causing the district to move home football games over safety concerns.

The high school football team has to travel to Saginaw to play tonight because of the concerns.

Muskegon Heights is four weeks into the football season and has yet to play a home game.  One game was canceled and tonight's game was moved.

"Muskegon Heights is that kind of place where you have people working, struggling, and their therapy is coming to watch the Tigers play," said basketball coach Terrance Stewart.

​"It really upsets me because I really want to see my daughter cheer or see the high school play," said parent Courtney Gardner. "I work. I can't just travel way out of town to see the basketball team or the football team. It's just sad.

No one disputes the violence is terrible.  They live with it.  But Stewart says that when it comes to the games, he feels any perceived threat is just that.

"Our our end, security was beefed up. We had State Police ready for the game. We had local police.  We have a lot of security."

There are two more home games on the Muskegon Heights Tigers schedule.  Next week is homecoming.