The pressure on Governor Whitmer and Elizabeth Hertel, the Director of Health and Human Services to open up high school winter sports continues to mount. I predict it will soon be a volcano that will explode. Yesterday, it came from the Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools, Dr. Vitti. On Monday, Peter Ruddell, a lawyer representing a group called Let Them Play Michigan, sent a letter to Elizabeth Hertel, the state’s new director of the Department of Health and Human Services, urging her to allow all sports to begin practice and competition no later than Feb. 1. And then there is this from Greg Kampe, Oakland University’s long time men’s basketball coach which he tweeted on behalf of many Michigan high school basketball coaches who asked him to speak out on their behalf.
Greg Kampe did not have to do this. His Oakland team is playing basketball. There was nothing in it for him other than his caring about the kids in the state he lives.
I have been around high school athletics for over 55 years as either as a student-athlete, as a high school sports official, as a parent of two high school athletes, one of who went on to play on the Division II national championship softball team. I know the value of sports to the physical and mental health of the student-athletes. For many student-athletes in our urban areas, sports is the greatest deterent from being on the “streets”. It is the thing that gives many student-athletes focus. It provides the motivation many student-athletes need to keep their grades up until they figure it out on their own.
I like so many do not understand how the data in 48 other states says it is OK, but it is not OK in our state for high school athletes but OK for college and professional athletes. Where is the trust? Where is the concern about the overall well being of our student-athletes? Why is it OK for me to go to the gym and not OK for student athletes to play inside winter sports. I promise you, the high school student-athletes will have less risk than I have when going to a gym.
Governor Whitmer and Director Hertel, do what is right for the student-athletes in this state and allow them to begin playing winter sports at the same time you open up restaurants and bars on February 1.
Stay safe. Schedule your vaccine. Social distance. Wear your mask. Wash your hands regularly.
Quote of the day: “The decision to delay winter contact sports was disappointing to thousands of athletes who have been training with their teams over the last week and watching teams in other states around Michigan play for the last two months.” Mark Uyl, executive director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association,
Orchid of the day: Greg Kampe, Oakland University men’s basketball coach for speaking up in favor of Michigan’s high school student-athletes and saying what so many people like me are thinking.
Onion of the day: Allegan County Republican Party for censoring long time Republican Congressman Fred Upton, for his vote to impeach former President Donald Trump.