House Oversight Committee lends platform to those concerned with governor’s directives

State Rep. Jack O’Malley, of Lake Ann, today said compelling House Oversight Committee testimony shows all high school sports can be contested safely in Michigan – underscoring the impact the governor’s decision will have on the development of young people throughout the state if it is not reversed.

“The experiences I heard today were not good for students and their families. This is bigger than just a game,” said O’Malley, a former high school softball coach. “There are kids who are in position for college scholarships that now may be in limbo. They have had activities that encourage teamwork, relationship-building and exercise taken away from them. I am urging the governor to rethink this order. I completely understand that we must remain cognizant of this virus and the dangers it presents. But it’s clear these sports can be conducted safely and sensibly. Gov. Whitmer is putting other troubling situations in play by idling these activities – and she hasn’t given us the data for why.”

Whitmer recently extended the ban on contact winter sports at the high school level to Feb. 21, taking away what Cheboygan athletic director and varsity boys basketball coach Jason Friday said is a vital support system for athletes across all corners of Michigan. Also appearing before the House Oversight Committee on Thursday were Michigan High School Athletic Association Board Member John Thompson, Let Them Play Michigan Director Jayme McElvany, and Olivet High School Athletic Director Matt Seidl, along with various concerned parents, athletes and school officials.

The MHSAA has consistently advocated for play in a fashion that respects the threat facing Michigan while prioritizing safety for players and coaches. A rapid testing pilot program in conjunction with the state’s Department of Health and Human Services that was put in place at the conclusion of the association’s fall championships tested a total of nearly 5,000 athletes, coaches, team personnel, cheerleaders and other applicable individuals. Out of nearly 30,000 tests that were given, 99.8 percent produced negative results.

On Wednesday, the MHSAA’s representative council made up of student-athletes around the state reaffirmed its commitment to resuming all high school sports contested during the winter season. 

“These kids made their disappointment and desperation clear today. They are being asked to follow the rules in order to have a chance at playing, but that chance hasn’t come,” O’Malley said. “Meanwhile, kids in other states are playing. I am hoping the administration ramps up their communication and planning with the MHSAA so these kids know that people are looking out for their well-being.”

A recent study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that high school sports in the state have not caused an increase in COVID-19 infections among athletes. Over the course of a month, researchers surveyed over 200 schools that restarted fall sports in September, which included more than 16,000 practices and more than 4,000 games. A total of 271 athletes contracted COVID-19 in that time period. Contact tracing performed for 209 of those athletes shows only one case was attributed to participation in sports. Illinois announced this week that high school basketball competition can begin immediately after games were on hold through orders like Michigan’s.

“The science is different just across Lake Michigan and other bordering states,” O’Malley said. “The fact is, this hearing laid out more data than anything I’ve heard from Gov. Whitmer’s office since COVID-19 began impacting our state and she started shelling out orders. And the data presented to us shows these sports can be played in a safe fashion with extremely limited risk. I was under the impression that March was our month for madness. But this ongoing order has brought plenty of madness to January in our state – and it’s really unfortunate for kids and their families.”