With rising heat over the next 24 hours, Kelloggsville the first local football team to change start time

By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

As the temperatures and heat indexes rise over the next 24 hours, many local high schools are debating whether to change starting times for their football season openers on Thursday, and even changing the dates to Friday.

Kelloggsville Athletic Director Carl Roscoe just notified WKTV that the Rockets have changed their Thursday game time from 7 to 8 p.m. Kelloggsville hosts Grant in their season opener.

East Kentwood Co-Athletic Director David Emeott said the Falcons have moved their freshman game to 7 p.m. tonight, followed by JV. The games will use a running clock with only a five-minute halftime.

South Christian Athletic Director David Kool said there JV game has been moved to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Caledonia.

Heat indexes are over 100 degrees in many areas of Grand Rapids today and are forecast to be that high again Thursday afternoon, according to The Weather Channel.

Check out the below guidelines on heat and heat indexes from the MHSAA website.

Managing heat and humidity policy

Thirty minutes prior to the start of an activity, and again 60 minutes after the start of that activity, take temperature and humidity readings at the site of the activity. Using a digital sling psychrometer is recommended. Record the readings in writing and maintain the information in files of school administration. Each school is to designate whose duties these are: generally the athletic director, head coach or certified athletic trainer.
Factor the temperature and humidity into a Heat Index Calculator and Chart to determine the Heat Index. If a digital sling psychrometer is being used, the calculation is automatic.

If the Heat Index is below 95 degrees:

All Sports

Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire.
Optional water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes in duration.
Ice-down towels for cooling.
Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.

If the Heat Index is 95 degrees to 99 degrees:

All Sports

Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire.
Optional water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes in duration.
Ice-down towels for cooling.
Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.

Contact sports and activities with additional equipment:

Helmets and other possible equipment removed while not involved in contact.
Reduce time of outside activity. Consider postponing practice to later in the day.
Recheck temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index.

If the Heat Index is above 99 degrees to 104 degrees:

All Sports

Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire.
Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes in duration.
Ice-down towels for cooling.
Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.
Alter uniform by removing items if possible.
Allow for changes to dry T-shirts and shorts.
Reduce time of outside activity as well as indoor activity if air conditioning is unavailable.
Postpone practice to later in the day.

Contact sports and activities with additional equipment

Helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact or necessary for safety.
If necessary for safety, suspend activity.
Recheck temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index.