Century of School Sports: MHSAA Programs Prioritize Health & Safety
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 29, 2025
Rank the top 10 conversations anyone would choose to have when it comes to school sports – be it talking up top teams, the latest stars, past champs, etc. – and advances in health & safety probably come in somewhere around No. 27.
But no topic has been or will remain more important to generating and maintaining successful athletic programs at every level of sport – including the high school and junior high/middle school levels administered by the MHSAA.
From the start of organized school athletics in Michigan more than 100 years ago, health and safety have been priorities. Sports safety concerns – especially in football – helped drive the creation of organized sport administration. Longtime policies – like the one ceasing activity for 30 minutes for lightning or thunder – have become part of daily life in athletics. Other measures, like MHSAA-provided insurance coverage to assist families who experience catastrophic injuries in school practices and competitions, aren’t even known by most – but can be life-altering for those who require those benefits.
For most of this century, the MHSAA’s health & safety initiatives have focused on the “4 Hs” coined by retired executive director Jack Roberts – Health Histories, Heads, Heat and Hearts. Those were the drive of much of his work especially over the final decade of his tenure before he retired in 2018 after 32 years.
Current executive director Mark Uyl’s time leading the association has seen the MHSAA begin work in mental health and create a Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) during the 2019-20 school year. He also led the MHSAA through its successfully safe return to play amid COVID-19 and the pandemic’s aftermath.
Health and safety information is contained in every preseason coaches meeting, which all coaches (head and assistant) are required to take. The MHSAA also has a strong relationship with the Michigan Athletic Trainer’s Society (MATS), who have a representative serving on every MHSAA sport committee along with the SMAC.
Along the lines of major initiatives, here are highlights:
Histories: Although pre-participation physicals long have been required, the MHSAA took a significant step incorporating student and family history with the introduction of new physical forms in 2011. The current form includes several questions not only about the participant receiving the physical, but also heart-related questions about family members.
Heads: The MHSAA was among the first states to adopt a return-to-play protocol requiring an athlete to be cleared by a doctor, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner, with that protocol also not allowing the athlete to return to participation until at least the next day after a possible head injury. At the start of the 2015-16 school year, the MHSAA launched the largest state-led sideline testing pilot program for concussions, providing a pair of screening tests so those injuries could be detected during practice and competition. Also since 2015-16, the MHSAA has required member high schools to report all potential head injuries and several details including when they took place (practice or competition) and how long students were treated before returning to activity – another first-of-its-kind initiative nationally. The MHSAA currently works with the University of Michigan Concussion Center to provide the most up-to-date information on the subject.
Heat: Long a megaphone for hydration and other best practices for preventing heat-related illnesses, the MHSAA took a major step with the creation of its “Model Policy for Heat and Humidity” for the 2013-14 school year that designates limits to activities (including a complete stop) based on heat index. While the policy is mandated for MHSAA Tournament activity, several schools have adopted the policy for the regular season as well. The MHSAA continues annually to renew awareness of heat management with its “Heat Ways” preseason guide for fall sports.
Hearts: The MHSAA has focused on providing tools so that as many people as possible are prepared to help during a cardiac event. Beginning with the 2015-16 school year, all varsity head coaches have been required to have CPR certification – and that requirement has been extended to head coaches at all high school and junior/middle school levels, ensuring that at least one person on site for every game and practice is trained in this life-saving technique. The MHSAA also has worked with MI HEARTSafe to in part get more AEDs into schools. Beginning this school year, the MHSAA required schools to build emergency action plans (EAPs) specific to sport and venue. And, as noted above, the preparticipation physical also asks questions about an athlete’s family history of heart health, so medical professionals can identify early situations that may require further investigation.
Mental Health: Annual rules meetings include required training in the be nice. program provided by the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. The MHSAA also has worked with Ithaca athletic director Terry Hessbrook to promote his B#4 Foundation and its work in suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
Sports Medicine Advisory Committee: The SMAC, made up of experts from the medical and educational communities, meets twice a year to consider topics and make recommendations relevant to health and safety in school sports.
Insurance: All the way back in 1940-41, the MHSAA became one of the first state associations nationally to provide accident benefit insurance to its constituents. The insurance provided over the years has evolved into a catastrophic claims policy beginning with the 1970-71 school year, and then in 2015-16 to include benefits specific to head injuries. The MHSAA’s insurance policy continues to cover deductibles and co-pays left unpaid by other policies for head injuries resulting during school practices or competitions, and at no cost to either schools or families.
There have been other notable moments over the years. Often, the MHSAA has taken action on health and safety issues before other governing bodies have produced mandates – for example, during the 1999-2000 season, MHSAA ice hockey players were required for the first time to wear neck guards that did not become mandatory nationally until this past winter.
More recently, the MHSAA instituted acclimatization rules specific to football and also limits on the amount of practice contact – to the minute – allowed per week. The MHSAA also has chimed in on air pollution created by wildfires, mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis and other situations that could potentially impact school sports, and partners with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan to provide nutrition information and awareness at events and on the MHSAA website.
These aren’t the first subjects that come to mind when fans talk about school sports – and that’s fine. But it’s our job, with school administrators, coaches and officials, to always have them front of mind – and we gladly do so to keep sports as safe as possible for hundreds of thousands of athletes whose achievements remain our favorite topics of conversation as well.
Previous "Century of School Sports" Spotlights
April 23: Patches Signify Registered Officials' Role in MHSAA Story - Read
April 16: Student Advisory Council Gives Voice to Athletes - Read
April 9: State's Storytellers Share Spring Memories - Read
April 2: Sharp Leadership Synonymous with MHSAA Success - Read
March 25: Athletic Directors Indispensable to Mission of School Sports - Read
March 18: 2025 Finals Begin Next Half-Century of Girls Hoops Championships - Read
March 11: Boys Basketball's Best 1st to Earn MHSAA Finals Titles - Read
March 5: Everything We Do Begins with Participation - Read
Feb. 25: Slogans & Logos Remain Unforgettable Parts of MHSAA History - Read
Feb. 19: MHSAA Tickets Continue to Provide Fan-Friendly Value - Read
Feb. 11: We Recognize Those Who Make Our Games Go - Read
Feb. 4: WISL Conference Continues to Inspire Aspiring Leaders - Read
Jan. 28: Michigan's National Impact Begins at NFHS' Start - Read
Jan. 21: Awards Celebrate Well-Rounded Educational Experience - Read
Jan. 14: Predecessors Laid Foundation for MHSAA's Formation - Read
Jan. 9: MHSAA Blazes Trail Into Cyberspace - Read
Dec. 31: State's Storytellers Share Winter Memories - Read
Dec. 17: MHSAA Over Time - Read
Dec. 10: On This Day, December 13, We Will Celebrate - Read
Dec. 3: MHSAA Work Guided by Representative Council - Read
Nov. 26: Finals Provide Future Pros Early Ford Field Glory - Read
Nov. 19: Connection at Heart of Coaches Advancement Program - Read
Nov. 12: Good Sports are Winners Then, Now & Always - Read
Nov. 5: MHSAA's Home Sweet Home - Read
Oct. 29: MHSAA Summits Draw Thousands to Promote Sportsmanship - Read
Oct. 23: Cross Country Finals Among MHSAA's Longest Running - Read
Oct. 15: State's Storytellers Share Fall Memories - Read
Oct. 8: Guided by 4 S's of Educational Athletics - Read
Oct. 1: Michigan Sends 10 to National Hall of Fame - Read
Sept. 25: MHSAA Record Books Filled with 1000s of Achievements - Read
Sept. 18: Why Does the MHSAA Have These Rules? - Read
Sept. 10: Special Medals, Patches to Commemorate Special Year - Read
Sept. 4: Fall to Finish with 50th Football Championships - Read
Aug. 28: Let the Celebration Begin - Read
Adjust Your Workout When Gym Isn't Option
April 6, 2020
Henry Ford Health System
Feeling at a loss about not being able to stick to your normal workout routine? You’re not alone.
Social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in people all over the world having to adjust their schedules to accommodate working from home, schooling and caring for kids, and finding ways to maintain as much of a “normal” schedule as possible.
As a result, many people are struggling to figure out how to get a good workout in without the help of gym equipment or a personal trainer.
“Anxiety over the current situation can add to a lack of motivation to work out,” says Brianna Gauna, an athletic trainer for Henry Ford Health System. “But just remember how beneficial it is to move your body, even if it is just around the house.”
How a Routine Change Affects Your Body
If you are used to working out every day or going hard at the gym on a regular basis, a short rest period from your routine might have its advantages.
“Taking time to rest can actually be a really good thing because it allows your body to recover,” says Gauna. “You might even start to see more muscle tone set in as you give your body a break.”
On the other hand, if you usually work out a few times throughout the week and suddenly stop, the results may cause negative effects. You may experience:
- Increased resting heart rate
- Less energy
- Change in mood or emotions
- Loss of sleep
How to Work Out at Home
Being stuck at home is not an excuse to skip a daily workout. Everyone works out a little differently, and there are plenty of options for you to stay active and try out new forms of exercise.
“Whether you are used to strength training or cardio, think about what your fitness goals are and choose activities based on what you’d like to achieve,” says Gauna.
Here are some ideas to keep you and your family active:
1. Yoga. Practicing yoga requires a great deal of muscle strength and balance. It is best for a full body workout. Look to YouTube or free apps on your phone for beginner workout videos that you can follow along.
2. HIIT workouts. These workouts are best for getting your heart pumping and increasing your stamina. Try choosing four exercises from the following list. (Search YouTube or Google for examples if you are not sure what each of these entails.) Do one exercise at a time for 30 seconds and then give yourself 20 seconds of rest before moving on to the next exercise. After you get through one rotation of those exercises, repeat three more times.
- Squats
- Push-ups
- Lunges
- Burpees
- Mountain climbers
- Glute bridges
3. Running or walking. Many apps allow you to track your run on a map, so you can plan out your route in your own neighborhood. This allows you to adjust how far you run or how much time you have for a run. A brisk walk through the neighborhood also works.
4. Biking. Biking is a great low-impact workout that works to engage and tone leg muscles. (Remember to wear a helmet!)
5. Team sports. If you are looking for something to engage you and your family, team sports are the way to go. Kick a soccer ball around, try to race through an obstacle course while dribbling a basketball or take turns throwing a football. If you don’t have the equipment, try playing keep-away with a stuffed animal or set up a relay race.
Exercise by Age and Fitness Level
The younger you are, chances are you have a faster metabolism. If you can’t get to a gym, think about how active you usually are and gauge the length of your workout from there.
If you are using this time to get started on your fitness journey, use these recommendations as a starting point:
Ages 7-17: 1-2 hours. Athletes that are used to going to weekly practices may find that two-hour workouts are more suitable.
Ages 18-30: About an hour. Look for times throughout the day that you can squeeze in workouts. Maybe you do yoga in the morning, a HIIT workout in the afternoon and a walk after dinner.
Ages 31-49: About a half hour. If you have children or a pet, you may find that you are already spending more time being active than this!
Ages 50 and up: At least 10-15 minutes. Gauge this based on your own abilities. You may live a more active lifestyle that allows you to be very active throughout the day. If you find yourself struggling to meet this mark, consider a walk during the day or stretches in the morning.
Once you get a regular fitness routine in place, work your way up to longer or more intense workouts to keep yourself challenged.
Making Your Own Equipment
If you have a treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical machine at home, now is the time to clear off the laundry it may have been collecting. If you don’t have access to weights or other gym equipment, though, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a quality workout. Look for things around your house that you can use in their place – get creative!
- Bags of beans, rice or pet food as added weight for squats or lunges
- Old books/textbooks as dumbbells
- A chair for triceps dips, calf raises or for stability during yoga
- Stairs to run sprints or to help you stretch out leg muscles
When your day-to-day routine is shaken up, do what you can to create normalcy in your life. If you find you have more free time throughout the day, take that time to get moving – even if it’s running up and down the stairs or going for a walk around the block.
“Don’t worry about feeling silly for switching up your routine,” adds Gauna. “Whether that’s using a random object for added weight during a workout or trying to remember how to ride a bike again on your street, think about yourself and your fitness goals first. Don’t let thoughts of what other people think of you get in the way of you reaching your goals!”
Want to learn more? Henry Ford Health System sports medicine experts are treating the whole athlete, in a whole new way. From nutrition to neurology, and from injury prevention to treatment of sports-related conditions, they can give your athlete a unique game plan.
Visit henryford.com/sports or call (313) 972-4216 for an appointment within 24 business hours.
PHOTOS: (Clockwise from left) MHSAA Student Advisory Council members Abigail Pheiffer of Novi, Lydia Davenport of Ithaca and Trevin Phillips of Caro will be working to stay in shape while staying home these next many weeks.