EAST LANSING, Mich. — Practices for all high school athletes have the green light, but some sports will still have to wait for another round of decisions by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
On Wednesday the MHSAA's representative council approved a plan to phase in competition for Fall sports.
Low-risk sports can begin practices on-time, and begin the seasons as scheduled. Moderate and high-risk sports will be allowed to conduct practices as planned, but a decision on their seasons may not come until August 20.
Boys football, boys soccer, and girls volleyball are the three sports that could be restricted from playing in competitions. Football teams will also be not be allowed to practice in full pads for the first week of practices, instead of the normal 3 day period for helmet-only work.
Volleyball along with swimming and diving face another challenge as most indoor facilities remain closed under phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan. Gyms and pools in Northern Lower Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula are open for use. Teams are allowed to hold practice outside if indoor facilites are not open by the start of practices on August 12.
Scrimmages for all Fall sports are canceled. The MHSAA is restricting the number teams competing in regular season tournaments and invitationals.
Lower Peninsula girls golf, Lower Peninsula boys tennis, Upper Peninsula girls tennis, cross country, and Lower Peninsula girls swimming & diving are all considered low-risk sports and are expected to start the seasons largely as scheduled.
