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UPDATE (4:30 p.m. Thursday): Postseason events sponsored by the Michigan High School Athletic Association have been suspended immediately and indefinitely due to concerns related to COVID-19, according to a news release posted this afternoon on the MHSAA website.
The hockey, girls gymnastics and Lower Peninsula boys swimming and diving finals had been scheduled for this weekend, while the basketball regional (girls) and district (boys) tournaments are midway through earlier rounds of their playoff progressions.
The East Lansing girls were scheduled to play Holt at 7 p.m. Thursday in a regional championship game while the Trojans boys had advanced to Friday's district title game against Grand Ledge. The East Lansing swim team had qualified two relays and one individual for this weekend's Division 2 state final at the Holland Aquatic Center.
On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recommended a stoppage of large gatherings in order to assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
“Based on the events of the last 48 hours and with things changing by the minute, we believe we have no choice but to suspend our winter tournaments immediately,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in the news release. “This is a suspension until we have a better handle on the situation. The health and welfare of everyone involved is our number one priority.”
Uyl added that more information and updates will be forthcoming over the next few days. No timetable has been determined for possible rescheduling of the tournaments.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association issued the following update at 10 a.m. Thursday regarding attendance restrictions for postseason events and tournaments:
“Postseason events sponsored by the Michigan High School Athletic Association and scheduled for March 12-14 will be conducted as scheduled. However, attendance will be restricted at all events through this weekend, with updates to be announced Monday, March 16, for the remainder of the girls and boys basketball tournaments.
“The MHSAA Ice Hockey Semifinals and Finals will be played March 12-14 at USA Hockey Arena, with Lower Peninsula Boys Swimming & Diving Finals beginning Friday, March 13 and concluding March 14 at Oakland University and Holland Aquatic Center. Girls Gymnastics at Rockford High School also will be competed Friday and Saturday this weekend. Girls Basketball Regionals Finals are scheduled for tonight, March 12, across the state, as are Boys District Finals on Friday, March 13.
“Based on recommendations from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer suggesting attendance limitations, no spectators will be allowed for the three Swimming & Diving Finals, both days, or Saturday’s Girls Gymnastics Individual Finals. These events have the highest number of participants of this weekend’s events.
“However, for Hockey Semifinals and Finals and Gymnastics Team Finals – events with far fewer participants – a limited number of spectators will be allowed, as determined by participating schools, to include only parents, legal guardians and essential administrators. Basketball games during the next two days also will allow only limited spectators, as determined by participating schools and following these same restrictions. Each competing school will provide the entry list of parents, legal guardians and essential administrators to the host site prior to each contest.
“Bands, cheerleaders and gatherings in parking lots or elsewhere on-site will not be allowed. Restrictions on noisemakers, etc., will continue to be upheld for those fans who will attend.
“For those allowed to be present at any of these five events, admittance will be free of charge. Online ticket sales have been stopped, and all tickets that have been purchased are voided and will be fully refunded.
“Fans not allowed to attend will have the opportunity to watch coverage of all three of this weekend’s Finals live on MHSAA.tv. Complete streaming of all 12 Hockey Semifinals and Finals games is scheduled, as is streaming of both the Team and Individual Gymnastics Finals and both preliminaries and Finals for swimming & diving. MHSAA.tv also will carry a number of girls and boys basketball games this weekend as part of its usual subscription coverage by members of the School Broadcast Program.
“The streaming of all three divisions of the MHSAA Swimming & Diving Finals and both Team and Individual Gymnastics Finals will be provided free of charge.”
To recap, here is a breakdown of sport-by-sport attendance and broadcast stipulations.
Boys Swimming & Diving Finals
Girls Gymnastics Finals
Boys Ice Hockey Semifinals and Finals
Girls Basketball Regional Finals
Boys Basketball District Finals
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