Three months after all collegiate sports came to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Gophers athletics department soon will take another positive step toward starting sports on time this fall.
The U said Friday that it aims to restart in-person team activities and workouts this week. The football team will be the first to return to campus, with strength and conditioning work expected by midweek, a spokesman said. Men’s and women’s basketball, soccer and volleyball will follow.
This announcement comes more than two weeks after the NCAA in late May permitted Division I student-athletes to participate in voluntary activities starting June 1.
“Our staff has spent the past several weeks preparing for our student-athletes to return to campus and has worked diligently to provide them with the safest environment possible,” Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle said in a statement.
The NCAA is expected to set a guideline for six-week football training camps in late July. “Can’t wait to watch all my brothers ball out this year,” Gophers star receiver Rashod Bateman tweeted Sunday.
The U’s Board of Regents recommended Friday that in-person class and other on-campus experiences restart on time this fall and end by Thanksgiving break. It further distances the Gophers from doomsday revenue shortfall scenarios that would significantly alter the department.
To address COVID-19, the Gophers will have student-athletes complete a questionnaire on symptoms and exposure and then have PCR and serology tests conducted. Once negative, they will have exams to receive clearance for workouts.
If student-athletes test positive, they will have to self-isolate but will maintain access to the school’s athletic medicine staff. They will have to be permitted in order to return to sports.
“Our decision to bring students back to campus is supported by medical experts and leadership at the NCAA, Big Ten and on campus,” Coyle said. “With regard to testing for COVID-19, we have worked with numerous medical professionals and infectious disease specialists to ensure we are using the most current information and testing procedures.”
The U said it will adhere to daily screening, temperature checks, physical distancing practices, wearing masks and the sterilization of equipment between uses.
Minnesota stated that all workouts are voluntary and all scholarships will be honored if someone decides not to return to campus for fall semester.
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June 15, 2020 at 05:30AM
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Gophers football to start workouts this week, other U sports to follow - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press
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