By K.D. Norris
Wyoming and Kentwood high school athletic directors wasted no time when the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced last week that high school winter contact sports could begin full activities this week, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announced that member schools had the green light to being practice and competitions.
And while there is competitive basketball and hockey being scheduled and played this week, some on the first allowed day of Feb. 8, there are some almost COVID-19 Catch-22 restrictions and state health requirements — including many basketball teams required to wear masks on the court and wrestling teams being required to find rapid test options or not take to the mats.
“There are still some unknowns with the testing requirements and the mask requirements,” David Kool, athletic director at Grand Rapids South Christian High School, said this week to WKTV. “The MHSAA is hoping to give us more clear guidelines … (this) week before the first games. As of now, we know that the kids have to wear masks while competing and that is what we will stick to until we are told differently.”
Wyoming high will also begin the basketball season with masks on their basketball players.
“Wyoming is planning on masks at this point,” Ted Hollern, Wolves athletic director, said to WKTV. “That is what we have agreed on.”
And Hollern pointed out that even if testing were to be available, there would be the issue of what is the opponent is doing — “Both teams would need to do the same thing,” he said.
South Christian’s Kool echoed his Wyoming counterpart.
“If there ends up being a rapid testing option and it is a level playing field for all, that is something we will consider and look into,” Kool said. “Our main concern is that if there is a testing program, it needs to be equitable for every school.”
Girls and boys basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling could begin contact practice on Feb. 8 — “with some precautions to continue limiting the spread of COVID-19,” according to an MHSAA statement late last week. And while basketball and hockey were able to begin competition this week, competitive cheer and wrestling will not be able to compete until Feb. 12 a the earliest.
Those four winter contact sports have been able to practice since Jan. 16, but only with non-contact activities. So local athletic directors are excited about the start, if still piecing together how they will meet requirements — and responding to other consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on high school sports.
We are “glad that our winter athletes, especially our seniors have an opportunity to compete,” Jason Faasse, Lee high school athletic director said to WKTV. “We are thankful that the research has been done by both the MDHHS and MHSAA to know what precautions are needed to help protect our athletes and their families.”
But Faasse’s optimism is balanced by the knowledge that this 2020-21 high school sports season is unlike any other.
“Many of our athletes have opted not to play this season for one reason or another,” Faasse said. “Some have concerns about playing contact sports during a pandemic, others have been working more hours with the uncertainties surrounding the season. The quick turn around (to allow winter contact sports) doesn’t help us promote the restart to help get more athletes on our teams.”
Ultimately, however, most schools including South Christian are just glad to have a chance to play, starting this week.
“The coaches and athletes have been doing everything they can to ensure they get a chance to compete this season and all they wanted was an opportunity,” Kool said. “The quick turnaround definitely adds to the craziness of this season. The biggest thing we looked at with our coaches was the simple fact that the kids want to play games and they are as ready as they ever will be.”
State and MHSAA testing requirements, and warnings
“All four Winter contact sports also must participate with some level of masking and/or rapid testing,” the MHSAA announced last week. “All testing will be coordinated between schools and MDHHS or their local health departments. … Participants are defined as athletes, coaches and other team personnel active in practice and competition.”
For competitive cheer, teams may compete without testing or face coverings, but must wear masks at all times outside of active competition or stunting/tumbling practice.
For ice hockey, all participants must wear face coverings at all times – during all practices and non-game activities, and during games. The same testing and mask removal option exists for hockey as for basketball.
For wrestling, testing will be required but competitors will not be required to wear face coverings.
The same masking and testing requirements will be in place for all junior high/middle school teams wishing to participate in the four winter contact sports.
However, the state department of health is allowing school athletics to go ahead with some reservations — with or without testing.
“We are pleased at our continued progress in Michigan that has allowed us to take this step forward in a phased approach,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS, said last week. “As a parent and former student-athlete myself, I get how important athletics are to our children’s physical and mental health.
“However, parents and athletes need to understand the risk involved with contact sports if they choose to participate. Sports that require frequent closeness between players make it more difficult to prevent disease transmission even when mitigation measures are in place, including masks. Even when not required, we urge teams to implement a testing program to protect athletes, coaches and their families.”
