Whitmer Says She Will Address Reopening Gyms, Sports 'Very Soon'

MICHIGAN — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told residents during a news conference Wednesday afternoon that she will address questions regarding a plan for high school sports, opening gyms, movie theaters and bowling alleys will come "very soon."

"COVID is still a very real threat all across our state," Whitmer said. "I will continue to treat it like that. I will have more to say on this topic very soon, so stay tuned."

A news conference Whitmer held Wednesday provided speculation that the governor would make an announcement, possibly to reopen portions of Michigan's economy, including gyms, movie theaters and bowling alleys.

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Further speculation surrounded whether Whitmer would address concerns surrounding fall sports in Michigan, football in particular. However, the news conference offered no news regarding the issues, other than Whitmer's promise that more information will come shortly.

"I think that there are leaders in various roles that are struggling to figure out what the right thing to do is," Whitmer said.

Students and school staffs have questions why Michigan student-athletes are unable to participate in sports when surrounding states are pushing forward with fall sports.

Michigan's Executive Order 160 requires people from different households to stay at least six feet away from one another during outdoor activities. It also limits indoor gatherings of 10 people or more, except in Regions 6 and 8. The requirements make high school football, volleyball and swim teams from competing across the state.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association allowed volleyball, boys soccer and girls swim competitions to take place in regions of the state that are in Phase 5 of the governor's MI Safe Start plan, but school districts in the rest of the state remain limited.

MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl released a statement Wednesday following Whitmer's news conference.

"The MHSAA has been in constant contact with the Governor's office seeking answers and direction for fall sports under EO 160 since that order was issued, expressing the urgency for these decisions on behalf of our member school students, staff and families" Uyl said. "This direct communication will continue and we will take Governor Whitmer at her word today that decisions will be made and shared with everyone very soon."

Among those critical of Whitmer and the MHSAA is Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, who on Wednesday continued to show disappointment in state leaders on the issue.

"Does not appear that any announcements will be made," Vitti posted on Twitter. "On the topic of fall sports, both @GovWhitmer and @MHSAA have failed student-athletes and families. Neither have led on the topic and it’s embarrassing. Both should be blamed, namely the @MHSAA
for even cancelling football."

Recently, Vitti wrote a letter to Whitmer and others requesting the fall football be reinstated, saying the decision to cancel the sport — which came shortly after the MHSAA said fall sports would continue as scheduled — was confusing.

"This announcement was made after you made strong public statements only a few days before stating the consensus was that players, families, and schools wanted to play throughout the state; teams, including coaches and players, were applying the right COVID safety standards; and that high school football was not comparable to college football considering the Big Ten's decision to move the season to the spring," Vitti said. "After the surprising reversal to shift the season to the spring, vague reasons were provided, including rising concerns from Athletic Directors across the state with playing, limited audiences for games, and the lack of clear support from the Governor and the state health department.

"Factually, nothing changed from a player's health perspective or risk analysis from strongly stating football would be played to it being postponed," the letter continues. "This has led everyone, including myself, to believe politics were played and that the MHSAA abdicated its responsibility to make athletic decisions and instead deferred to the Governor in closed door conversations instead of supporting student-athletes, coaches, and their families."

Read More: Detroit Superintendent To State: Reinstate Fall Football Season

"I'm going to continue to work with the association to ensure that steps that are taken are absolutely tethered to the best science and keep our athletes and their families and our educators safe," Whitmer said.