Concussion Care Special Awarded Emmy

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 19, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Yellow Flag Productions – which produces State Champs! Sports Network – and FOX Sports Detroit received a Michigan Emmy Award on Saturday for their “Concussions and the Modern Athlete” program that detailed the effects of concussions in athletics and steps being taken by the MHSAA to enhance awareness and care at the high school level.

The award – presented by the state’s chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – came in the category of “Children/Youth/Teens – Program/Special.” The show was hosted and reported by State Champs’ Kiara Hay and included interviews with MHSAA Executive Director John E. Jack Roberts and Assistant Director Kathy Vruggink Westdorp.

The show was part of the State Champs! Summer Series in 2017 and aired on FOX Sports Detroit.

Statement on Winter Sports (1-25-2021)

January 25, 2021

Second Half

The following statement is attributable to Mark Uyl, executive director of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, on the topic of Winter contact sports – girls and boys basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling – remaining on pause for contact activities including competition until Feb. 21, per the most recent update to the emergency order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

“We are unable to provide specific plans yet as we are still evaluating the best options for delivering a memorable experience for 60,000 athletes involved in Winter contact sports. We will continue asking questions and advocating for all of our schools and athletes as we work toward building our next plans for seasons in basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling. We will be ready with specific timelines as soon as MDHHS clears contact sports to begin full activity.

“We have said from the start of the 2020-21 school year that we would do everything possible to have three seasons, and play all three to completion. Our strong advocacy for all sports and seasons – and especially Winter sports – continues every day.”

The MHSAA this past weekend concluded its 11-Player Football Finals, which along with Girls Volleyball, Lower Peninsula Girls Swimming & Diving and 8-Player Football Finals were allowed to conclude this month with competing teams and individuals taking part in an MDHHS rapid testing pilot program.