Full-Court Press: Student-Athletes & Coaches Call On Whitmer To Let Them Play

It’s past time for Gov. Whitmer to let the kids play.

January 26, 2021

As Governor Gretchen Whitmer continues to prohibit high school student-athletes from beginning their winter sports season, she’s resigned to keeping Michiganders in the dark about the metrics or data supporting her reasoning. In response to her lack of transparency, coaches, administrators, and student-athletes from around the state are putting on a full-court press calling on Whitmer to let them play.

Commenting on Whitmer’s handling of the issue, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools Superintendent Mark Whelton told ABC 12 “It’s embarrassing. It’s unfortunate and embarrassing.” 

The Detroit Public Schools Community District’s superintendent Nikolai Vitti penned an open letter in Bridge Detroit to Whitmer asking her to “let the students play ball.” He further wrote, “I want to be clear and upfront that although I have grown frustrated with the lack of communication and clarity regarding when the start of winter “contact” spots will be, why it has not started and what needs to occur for it to start, I continue to support you.” 

The Olivet High School boys basketball coach talked with Bridge Michigan about how his team is doing, saying: “They’re getting depressed about it, and they’re losing trust in the government.”

The varsity girls basketball coach at Detroit Renaissance High School took to Twitter saying, “I have 8 seniors. Audrey, Booker, kailee, Mikyah, Nat, Nia, Nika, & Shannon. They went from possibly 2 state titles to maybe 0. They have worn masks, taken tests, and done virtual sessions. It’s time 2 #letusplay @GovWhitmer“

Lending another voice in support, Oakland University men’s basketball coach Greg Kampe also called for Michigan high school sports to be reinstated immediately. WDIV reports that “Kampe says missing season could potentially change the trajectory of some students’ lives.” 

Student-athletes from every corner of Michigan are taking to Twitter to call on Whitmer to reverse her order using the hashtag #LetUsPlay:

• TWEET: I am a senior student athlete who plays basketball at Novi High School posting on behalf of my team. If we have a season, we as a TEAM will hold ourselves accountable for the COVID-19 safety protocols. All we need is a CHANCE. Share if you agree!!!@GovWhitmer #letusplay
• TWEET: I am a senior at Anchor Bay High School. As a captain of the team I will make sure my team and I follow all protocol for Covid-19 and hold ourselves accountable. Let us 6 seniors play our last season!!! #LetUsPlay @GovWhitmer 

The advocacy group Let Them Play is now preparing legal action against the governor and health department’s order. MLive reports that “Lansing attorney Peter Ruddell sent a letter on Monday to newly named MDHHS director Elizabeth Hertel, asking for her to reverse the extension and stick with the Feb. 1 re-opening of contact sports.” 

It’s past time for Gov. Whitmer to let the kids play. Parents, coaches, and administrators are committed to creating a safe environment for student-athletes to play and Whitmer has not provided any science or data that supports the decision to continue the sports shutdown. – Tori Sachs, executive director of Michigan Rising Action