California, Michigan End Winter and Spring Sports Seasons

On Friday, California and Michigan were two of the latest states to announce the cancellation of high school spring sports. The announcement also meant the cancellation of the remaining winter sports that were still in session when schools around the country began closing due to COVID-19. In both states, their respective basketball state tournaments were still underway when suspension of school related activities went into effect. In a statement released by the California Interscholastic Federation executive director Ron Nocetti said that with the school going to distance learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic school year, the CIF “does not an avenue for the spring sports season to continue.” In Michigan, the situation was almost identical to California as winter sports were in the midst of the state playoffs and spring sports practices were just underway but no competitions had been played. Michigan High School Athletic Association executive director Mark Uyl told reporters that had the state’s Governor, Gretchen Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order been lifted, they had ideas on ways to finish out the winter and spring sports. “We are heartbroken to not be able to provide these opportunities for Michigan’s student-athletes and especially seniors,” added in the statement. In both states, this will be the first time no champions are award since the 1942-1943 season during World War II.