Grand Rapids Public School officials reached out to parents, students and school board members when they got the good news last week about fall sports.

Sure, the Michigan High School Athletic Association announced Sept. 3 that all fall sports will be played. But GRPS communications director John Helmholdt said GRPS officials wanted to proceed with caution, and after a week of investigation, all fall sports, including those played at Ottawa Hills and Union, have been cleared for competition.

“In that same press release (last week by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer), the state health department specifically advised against continuing contact sports. So you have conflicting information between the administration and health department,” Helmholdt said. “We wanted to do our due diligence and engage with students and parents to assess their thoughts about the continuation of sports this fall.

“We advised with individual board members, and in the end, we know that we have successfully implemented safe practices in conditioning throughout the summer and into the fall. We believe that we are prepared to move forward safely.”

Practices and conditioning were allowed to continue for all sports while the GRPS completed its survey and interviews. However, competition in volleyball, swimming and sideline cheer were not permitted to be held during this time.

GRPS has released a statement from GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby regarding the decision to resume all fall sports.

“After careful consideration with feedback from students, parents, coaches, and Grand Rapids Board of Education members, I am pleased to announce that all fall sports will resume with strict safety measures in place.

“Our student athletes have been practicing voluntarily throughout the summer with safety protocols and health screenings. Golf, tennis, and cross country have already been in competition. In accordance with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s recent executive order, effective immediately, football, soccer, volleyball, swimming and sideline cheer will also resume.

“We are committed to following the guidelines set forth by Governor Whitmer and the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Both home and visiting spectators will be limited to parents and guardians only at this time for all home events. There will be no admission fees nor will concessions be available at this time. We will be sharing all guidelines and expectations for student athletes, coaches, parents, guardians, and the general public.”

Helmholdt said 69 percent of the parents surveyed were in favor of playing all sports.

“We had over 1,000 respondents, and we are at 69 percent support,” Helmholdt said. “There are concerns about the competence level in the safety protocols, and that is something we are going to continue to implement with fidelity.”

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