(Brooklyn Park, MN) — High school sports activities in Minnesota have been placed on hold in hopes of preventing the spread of COVID-19. The Minnesota State High School League says there will be no games or scrimmages through at least April 6th. Practices, training, and drills will be prohibited through at least March 27th. All schools in the state must comply with the temporary guidelines, which were announced yesterday. The announcement coincided with the state’s emergency executive order to close schools statewide starting on Wednesday. The executive director of the Minnesota State High School League Erich Martens says they’ve had to manage important and sometimes controversial issues before, but he says this is a “completely different beast.” Martens says they will continue to get input from health experts both locally and nationally to further craft guidelines as the situation develops.
Here is the statement from the MSHSL:
Consistent with Emergency Executive Order 20-02 issued on March 15, 2020, by Governor Walz the Minnesota State High School League has updated information on activity participation limitations.
Effective from Wednesday, March 18, 2020 through Friday, March 27, 2020:
• There will be no MSHSL activities and athletics at any member school.
o This includes all participation including, but not limited to training, practices, scrimmages, and contests.
o The previous MSHSL directive prohibiting scrimmages, contests and competitions with other MSHSL programs for Spring activities and athletics will continue until April 6, 2020.
As COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, the MSHSL will continue to monitor the most current information and directives from the Minnesota Department of Health, the Governor of Minnesota, and the Centers for Disease Control. The MSHSL will continue to work within the intent and support of the Emergency Executive Order and Department of Health recommendations in its actions and decisions. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available and as decisions are made.
MNN Sports Director Mike Grimm interviewed the executive director of the MSHSL Erich Martens to detail the current situation: