The Minnesota State High School League has called a special meeting reportedly to discuss whether or not to allow football and volleyball to be played by students this fall.
MSHSL Board President Blaine Novak has called a special board meeting for Sept. 21. During the meeting, members are expected to discuss if, and how, to conduct volleyball and football during the 2020 school year.
News alert: Board President Blaine Novak has called a special meeting of the @MSHSL Board of Directors for Monday, Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.
— MSHSL (@MSHSL) September 16, 2020
The meeting could be the result of requests from students and parents who have asked the MSHSL to reconsider its stance on high-school games.
A Facebook group called “Let Them Play MN” was created on Sept. 9 and has already accumulated over 18,000 members. The members of the group are encouraged to send requests to their schools and petition the MSHSL, asking it to reconsider its position on football and other sports. Students have already been practicing sports while taking safety precautions since Monday, according to Fox 9.
The MSHSL has created a PSA seemingly meant to be seen by attendees of in-person games. The PSA details safety precautions asked of attendees at sports events.
“Reminders for today’s event: wear a mask over your nose at all times, stay at least six feet apart, [and] cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue away and wash your hands,” states the PSA.
“(Fill in member school here) and the Minnesota State High School League thank you for being proactive in the efforts to control the spread,” it adds.
Additionally, the MSHSL was sued last week by three high-school athletes and their parents, KARE 11 reported. The lawsuit argues that only the MSHSL’s Representative Assembly, not its board members, has the authority to postpone athletics.
Attorney Samuel Diehl, who is representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said he wants to see the results of the MSHSL’s special meeting before a hearing is held.
The announcement of the MSHSL’s meeting comes shortly after a similar meeting by Big Ten football resulted in college football games being allowed to take place this fall, despite the ongoing pandemic. Big Ten’s special meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to reverse an August decision cancelling the football season, and it appears to have been influenced by President Donald Trump.
Great News: BIG TEN FOOTBALL IS BACK. All teams to participate. Thank you to the players, coaches, parents, and all school representatives. Have a FANTASTIC SEASON! It is my great honor to have helped!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 16, 2020
Alpha News reached out to Board President Novak for a comment about the upcoming meeting, but has not received a response.
Judah Torgerud
Judah Torgerud is a freelance journalist working with Alpha News to keep the people informed and bring the truth to light. Contact him at whqnu@nycunarjfza.pbz.
