Thousands joined student-athletes demonstrating in front of the Michigan Capitol building to urge Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to allow students to play winter sports.
"Sports are a lot bigger than just playing," said Brendan Young, a senior basketball player who attended the demonstration. "It's what we all grew up playing and we have all these friendships that we've built through sports and especially being my senior year, I want one last chance to play with my friends and the guys I've been growing up with my whole life. I'm sure all these kids feel the same way."
Young is just one of many student-athletes who have seen their hopes of a winter season put on hold in Michigan, with Whitmer’s latest COVID-19 order banning contact sports such as basketball, hockey, wrestling, and cheer until at least Feb. 21.
At least 2,000 people attended the rally in support of allowing sports to continue, with many of the student-athletes expressing how important having the opportunity to compete is.
"It's very important to me," said Ethan Dunn, a junior basketball player. "It's very painful for myself and everyone else, I'm sure — especially the seniors to have their season taken away like this and not have the opportunity. Some use it as a coping mechanism, others want to play at the collegiate level and others might not get a chance again to play this sport. It's very important to me to come out here and show support."
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Michigan High School Athletic Association Director Mark Uyl is hoping its member schools can join the 38 other states, including border states such as Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin, in safely allowing their student-athletes to compete. Uyl’s organization was blindsided by Whitmer’s decision to delay the start of the season as case rates continued to fall across the state, and the MHSAA has already proven it could safely complete its fall sports seasons.
“The two most pressing questions are: 'What are the numbers that are currently preventing us from playing?'” Uyl asked. “And the corollary question to that is: 'What do the numbers have to look like for us to play?'”
Uyl has hope that a change in leadership at the top of the state’s health department will result in more clear communication with his organization after months of frustrating attempts to have a dialogue with the state.
But the athletes aren’t waiting for Whitmer to change her mind, instead hoping that their large numbers in front of the Capitol were a clear enough sign to make the governor reconsider.
"I hope they see that there is enough people here that care about what we're here to do and that they see (that) and change their mind," said Cole Riedel, who is hoping to be able to participate in wrestling.
"Sports touch a lot of kids' hearts," Young said. "You can see it's very important to a lot of people around the state of Michigan and I just hope they rethink the decision."
The effort by the student-athletes hasn’t gone unheard across the state, with high profile figures such as former Red Wings legend Darren McCarty and former NFL player Andre Rison speaking to those in attendance.
"I played basketball, football, I ran track," Rison said in a video message to the crowd. "I know how much sports means to our communities across the state of Michigan, and I know how much it means in a household, especially during these times. Sports can change a lot of things for the better."
The athletes also have the backing of Michigan’s GOP controlled Senate, with the chamber passing a resolution urging Whitmer to allow the resumption of all winter sports.
“This is all about giving our kids opportunities and a healthy lifestyle,” said state Sen. Dale Zorn, who sponsored the Senate resolution. “Students in Michigan are hurting. All they want is to be able to compete with their friends and to be the very best they can be.”
But Whitmer has so far resisted the pressure, citing concerns over new coronavirus variants as justification for the continued pause.
“But trust me, as a parent of a high schooler myself, I’d love to get this part of life reengaged, but getting the kids back in the classroom, that’s paramount,” Whitmer said during a Thursday radio interview. “It’s not about changing our mind, it's about being smart and when the numbers support taking this next step.”
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner's request for comment.
