MHSFCA Executive Director’s Blog – August 2020 (update)

By SCOTT FARLEY
Executive Director, MHSFCA

LATEST MHSAA COMMUNICATION REGARDING FALL FOOTBALL 2020

The link below will take you to the latest communication from the Michigan High School Athletic Association, providing much needed guidance and clarification for coaches moving forward.

Please note that fall practices, with helmets only, are currently NOT allowable for middle school teams and players. We are hoping for additional information from the MHSAA soon regarding middle school football.

https://www.mhsaa.com/News/PressReleases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9191/MHSAA-Council-Authorizes-Competition-inVolleyball-Soccer-Swimming-Diving-Where-Allowed-Also-Adds-Offseason-Contact-Days-forFootball-and-all-Spring-Sports

MHSFCA SURVEY ON SPRING FOOTBALL SCHEDULING

Head coaches should have received a survey via e-mail on August 21, asking them to provide feedback on scheduling possibilities for the Spring 2021 football season.

This feedback will be compiled and used in the association’s joint effort with the MHSAA and MIAAA to come with a solid spring football experience for Michigan high school players. Head coaches – please check your e-mail ASAP, so we can have the most accurate information when the scheduling process begins very soon.

CRANBROOK COACH PASSES AWAY TRAGICALLY

Ben Jones, head coach at Cranbrook High School, passed away in a car accident last week. We all hold Coach Jones, his family and the Cranbrook community in our prayers.

https://www.hometownlife.com/story/sports/high-school/birmingham/2020/08/21/ben-jonescranbrook-kingswood-football-coach-dies-after-car-accident/3404033001/

FINAL THOUGHTS

Clearly, these past few weeks have been difficult, anxiety producing, and puzzling.

The unknown has been around every corner and it feels like we’ve been blindsided at every turn. We do, however, get to choose how we respond to this past week’s heartbreaking news. I hope each of you will respond by doing what we say we are about in this profession:

• Continue to pour into the lives of your players, students, and fellow staff members.
• Use the MHSAA allowed days to expand your rosters, increase the skill level of your players, and –
• Most importantly, build relationships with your guys and keep a close eye on their overall well-being.

Make this Fall a positive turning point in your program and in your career. Focus on the things that really matter. Take your wife and kids to a pumpkin patch! Check on each other! Just remember, TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST! TOUGH PEOPLE DO!!