MHSAA Reopening Update (6/2/20)
June 2, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has updated its guidelines for reopening of school sports based on the lifting of her stay-at-home order and further recommendations from Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office announced Monday, June 1.
Winter and Spring sports were halted April 3 to help decrease the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Today's update included the following:
• Member schools may begin summer activities at school facilities as long as these two conditions are met: 1. School administration has announced schools facilities are open to students and staff, and 2. The academic school year (last day of online instruction/exams) has ended.
• Indoor facilities, including gymnasiums and weight rooms, remain closed. This includes swimming pools, although outdoor pools may be used for athletic activities.
• Competition is not yet allowed because participants must continue to follow social distancing.
• Balls may be used among groups of participants, but participants should clean such common equipment as permitted and continue to maintain proper hygiene (washing hands, not touching their faces) and social distance.
• Guidelines will continue to be updated based on directives from Governor Whitmer’s office.
“We were excited and encouraged by Governor Whitmer’s announcements Monday," MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. "The opportunity for outside gatherings of up to 100 allowed us to rework a number of guidelines that we had published Friday as part of the MHSAA/NFHS reopening document. Our schools have been cautiously eager to take this long-awaited first step. We will continue to provide updates in accordance with the Governor’s directives for reopening the state, always prioritizing safety for all involved in school sports programs.”
Officials Registration Open
June 19, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Michigan High School Athletic Association is accepting registrations by mail and online for game officials for the 2014-15 school year and hopes to continue building on a program started in 2012 and aimed at recruiting new officials from high schools’ current graduating classes.
The MHSAA again has provided each member high school with two complimentary officials registrations to be awarded to graduating seniors designated by their athletic directors as having the skills and interest in continuing their involvement in MHSAA athletics through officiating. Over the last two years, 41 graduates took advantage of this opportunity to register free of charge.
High school seniors selected do not have to pay registration fees for the next school year and receive assistance from MHSAA staff in connecting with local officials’ associations and receiving training opportunities. Graduates who registered during the first two years of the program came from the following schools: Adrian Lenawee Christian, Brimley, Calumet, Carleton Airport, Coleman, Dearborn, Detroit International Academy, Detroit Aisha Shule-W.E.B. Du Bois Prep Academy, Detroit Southwestern, Engadine, Fenton, Grand Haven, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse, Houghton Lake, Imlay City, Ishpeming Westwood, Jonesville, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, Lowell, Mackinaw City, Madison Heights Lamphere, Marquette, Mayville, Michigan Center, Negaunee, New Boston Huron, New Haven Anchor Bay, Owendale-Gagetown, Owosso, Oxford, Rogers City, St. Ignace, Ubly, Waldron, Watervliet and West Branch Ogemaw Heights.
For other new and returning officials, those who register online again will receive a $5 discount off their processing fees. A $12 fee is charged for each sport in which an official wishes to register, and the online processing fee is $30. Officials submitting registration forms by mail or on a walk-up basis will incur a $35 processing fee. Officials registered in 2013-14 will be assessed a late fee of $30 for registration after July 31. The processing fee includes liability insurance coverage up to $1 million for officials while working contests involving MHSAA schools.
Online registration can be accessed by clicking “Officials” on the Home Page of the MHSAA Website. Forms also are available online that can be printed and submitted by traditional mail or hand delivery to the MHSAA Office. More information about officials registration may be obtained by contacting the MHSAA at 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing, MI, 48823, by phone at (517) 332-5046 or by e-mail at [email protected].
There is an officials' registration test for first-time officials and officials who were not registered during the past school year. The test consists of 45 questions derived from the MHSAA Officials Guidebook, which also is available on the Officials page of the MHSAA Website. Additional 50-question exams must be taken by those registering for football or basketball for the first time or those who were not registered for those sports during the previous school year. Manuals for both sports also are available on the Officials page.