(EAST LANSING) – The Michigan High School Athletic Association has adjusted their schedule to conclude the Fall tournaments.

On December 18, MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl announced that the three remaining Fall tournaments in football, volleyball and girls swimming and diving would resume in January 2021 and conclude by the middle of that month. However on Tuesday, the MHSAA said after receiving full details and requirements for the pilot rapid testing project being provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, that schedule may be changed.

Due to requirements and need for more direction from MDHHS that will be coming in the next week, the MHSAA has instructed schools still participating in those sports to suspend practice immediately. The MHSAA is also working to update dates of competition to better reflect the testing schedule. Taking part in the testing pilot is a requirement for athletes to participate in the final competitions in these sports.

The MHSAA says Fall teams taking part in the pilot program are expected to receive rapid-result antigen tests and more instruction by December 29. The MDHHS on December 28 and 29 will be conducting webinars to train school personnel who will be involved in the testing process. Once the first tests have been administered on December 30, full team practices may commence. If schools are delayed in the start of testing, those schools may begin practice once individuals have had one negative test.

With teams restarting practice December 30 at the earliest, competition dates also could be rescheduled. Confirmation of updated tournament dates will be announced soon on the MHSAA website.