LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Despite their rivalries, Michigan’s Big Ten schools are teaming up to encourage everyone to mask up.
During a press briefing Wednesday Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Michigan State University alumna, and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, a graduate from the University of Michigan, debuted a new ad campaign with some well-known names in Michigan sports.
The “Ball’s In Your Court” video features MSU’s football coach Mel Tucker, MSU men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo, MSU women’s basketball coach Suzy Merchant, U-M football coach Jim Harbaugh, U-M men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard, and U-M women’s basketball coach Kim Barnes Arico.
The coaches were seen wearing green and white and maize and blue face masks as they passed around footballs and basketballs to each team.
During the press briefing, Coach Izzo took to the podium and stated, “Rivalries are one thing…but the fight against COVID-19 is not just for Spartans it’s not just for Wolverines…in this case, I love everyone in this state.”
He added, “It doesn’t matter who you root for or who you vote for, I am encouraging everyone to wear a mask.”
Coach Howard also encouraged masking up, saying, “We are all in this together – as one team, whether that is Maize and Blue or Green and White.”
All the coaches stressed the importance of if we want sports to resume and students to get back to school, everyone must do their part. “I firmly believe that there is nothing more important than making sure that we keep our kids safe and healthy. We all have to make sure we mask up, Michigan!” Coach Merchant stated.
In a written statement, Governor Whitmer stated, “If we all work together as a team and wear our masks now, we can put our state in a stronger position for kids to return to school safely in the fall. Masks can reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19 by about 70 percent, and it’s been proven that masking up can protect our small businesses and our economy. By wearing masks, we can save lives and protect our family, friends, and the heroes on the front lines from the spread of COVID-19. This is going to be a team effort, but I know Michigan is up to the challenge. Let’s all mask up when we’re out in public.”
The ad will air on local television stations across the state.
As always, the latest coronavirus information can always be found at michigan.gov/coronavirus.
