OCU Athletics will make adjustments to the fall 2020 sports season due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.
Athletic officials will monitor conditions over the next few weeks, and ultimately determine specific details regarding possible game delays and cancellations, as well as policies relating to in-person spectators and alternative viewing experiences.
Athletic Director Jim Abbott said practices and team activities will not take place until after the first two weeks of the semester.
“Once we can start, our plan is to play, but it just depends on how things go from now until then,” Abbott said. “We are also discouraging athletes from being part of social activities for now.”
Abbott said teams will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines when practices are cleared to begin.
“We are going to start off in smaller groups in the beginning, so if someone is affected, it won’t affect the whole team,” Abbott said. “Everyone will have their temperature checked every day, and for indoor practices, they’ll have to sanitize and wear masks until they walk on the court to play.”
Abbott said officials have not yet decided whether or not spectators will be allowed to attend games.
“We would love to have fans at our games, and it’s definitely possible to have socially distanced groups in the stands,” Abbott said. “It will all depend on how things are standing with the health of our community.”
Abbott said livestreams will be available for some games and competitions.
“Depending on what we decide to do concerning fans, we may be able to offer more options,” Abbott said.
Abbott said students and faculty who have been exposed, show symptoms or test positive for the virus will follow the university’s COVID-19 policies and procedures.
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure that safety is the top priority,” Abbott said. “We’re not going to anything that could jeopardize our students or university.”
Abigail Selzer, criminal justice junior and basketball center, said she looks forward to getting back on the court.
“Last year, we had to end the season right before our championship, and it was really hard on us,” Selzer said. “We just want to participate in our sport this semester while also, of course, making sure everyone stays healthy.”
Selzer said the university has been accommodating toward student athletes as they prepare to begin their seasons.
“They’ve been very understanding,” Selzer said. “This is something we have never been through, and they really want us to be able to practice. For me and my teammates, we aren’t afraid, and we want to play.”
Abbott said many details surrounding adjustments to the season are yet to be finalized, but will be announced in the coming weeks.
“This is still evolving, so there isn’t an easy answer regarding what comes next,” Abbott said. “Our student athletes love to compete and play sports, and we have a voice at our university. I just want people to know that we aren’t going to play if we don’t think it’s within our school’s best interest.”
For sports-related COVID-19 updates, visit the OCUSports website.
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