MHSAA approves start of VB; moves FB to spring

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EAST LANSING / IRON COUNTY  —  The Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association on Aug. 20 approved the start of competition in girls volleyball, boys soccer and girls swimming and diving in regions of Michigan authorized for that activity by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders, with competition in those sports pending in regions where those activities are not yet allowed as part of preventing spread of COVID-19.
    Locally, this means that West Iron County and Forest Park will begin their volleyball seasons on time, while the Wykons and Trojans football teams saw their seasons postponed until spring.
Regarding volleyball, the Lady Trojans are scheduled to begin their season with a match at Carney-Nadeau on Thursday, while the Wykons are slated to start play Thursday at Ishpeming.
    As opposed to years past, the two county teams will not play in or host any invitationals this season because of the COVID-19 restrictions against having more than four teams at a facility at the same time.
    “I am pleased that our student-athletes are being allowed to move forward with volleyball,” FP athletic director Lisa Olson said. “Unfortunately, this was our year to host the Great 8 Fall Classic, and we will not be able to host our Forest Park Invitational either.
    “Volleyball is a go as is tennis and cross country,” WIC athletic director Mike Berutti said. “Many things will look different in the gym and at events, but at least these sports get to play.”
    That is not the case for football in the fall. The MHSAA Representative Council decided to postpone the fall 2020 football season until the spring of 2021, also due to COVID-19 concerns.
MHSAA staff was authorized by executive order to create all guidance for a return of school sports, and over the last eight weeks has worked to fulfill this mandate while complying with all of Gov. Whitmer’s executive orders. The council was prepared to approve competition in volleyball, soccer and swimming and diving for all schools in all regions but was unable to do so because of questions remaining on which activities are still not allowed.  
“Our council has made clear it is ready to offer students these opportunities, pending approval from Gov. Whitmer that we may do so,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “We have been told that within a week, future guidance will address athletic issues that exist in current executive orders. We are awaiting that guidance.
“The MHSAA and Representative Council are committed to following all current and future executive orders and safety precautions. However, we need more answers before we can give all of our member schools the go-ahead to play each other again, and the majority of our schools are in regions that are not yet allowed to take part in volleyball, soccer and swim.” 
The postponement of the football season has hit hard for players, coaches, families and fans across the state.
“It was disheartening to hear about the cancellation of football,” said Berutti, WIC’s head varsity coach. “The boys at WIC have been working extremely hard and were starting to look really good. This is another blow to these young men. We need school, we need sports.”
The council also approved out-of-season coaching adjustments allowing football and spring sports coaches more contact with their athletes in advance of the 2021 season.
To provide additional offseason activity for sports that have had their full seasons canceled or moved, the council approved 16 contact days for football and all spring sports to be used for voluntary practices among students from the same school only. Football may schedule their contact days from Aug. 24 through Oct. 31. Spring sports – baseball, softball, girls soccer, track and field, girls and boys lacrosse, boys golf, Upper Peninsula girls golf, and Lower Peninsula girls tennis and Upper Peninsula boys tennis – may schedule their 16 contact days for voluntary practices from Sept. 8 through Oct. 31, if the school permits and all safety protocols are followed. 
Football and all spring sports then may conduct skill work with coaches and up to four players at a time beginning Nov. 1 until the first day of official practice this upcoming spring. Coaches also may work with an unlimited number of players on general conditioning during that time. 
A calendar for the inclusion of football into spring 2021 will be released later this fall, upon council approval at a later meeting. 
Both county athletic directors advised fans to realize that the schedules will likely evolve through the sports calendar.
For attendance purposes, schools in the U.P. may have for indoor volleyball a total of 250 people or 25 percent of a facility’s capacity, whichever is smallest. Outdoor competition in the U.P. may have 500 people or 25 percent of capacity, whichever is smallest. The total numbers of people allowed to be present include all participants, officials and school and game personnel, media and fans.
“Please work with all schools in the U.P. and remember, at least your daughter is able to compete,” Berutti advised.
Berutti added that WIC will not sell family passes this fall. In volleyball, each athlete will get two vouchers for each game to give to parents so they can go watch. 
Health checks will need to be completed on each voucher, student athlete’s names need to be written and correct change for admission will be expected. Cost will be $5 per person for each event. 
“This too can change as we get into September, but for now this is the new normal,” Berutti added.
One way or another, school districts hope that communities will continue to support local sports.
    “I encourage everyone to continue to support our local school districts, students and athletes as we move forward,” Olson said. “Please be aware that all things are fluid at this moment and could change. We must continue to follow suggested guidelines to allow these opportunities to happen.
“Thanks in advance for your patience and consideration as we continue during these unprecedented times.”