Alabama State putting a plan to action for athletes to return
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BVM) — In recent weeks, COVID-19 has seemed to get a second wind, putting a damper on the hopes of fall sports taking place in the NCAA. The Clemson University football team had 37 players test positive, and the University of Southern California chose to keep the campus closed during the fall, opting for online classes instead.
Even high school sports have taken a hit, with the state of Tennessee delaying the start of its football and soccer seasons after extending their state of emergency through Aug. 29.
However, Alabama State University is ready to move forward with their sports, hoping others follow suit. The university sent out a press release with their 鈥淩eturn to Play鈥� action plan, showing how they hope to keep their student-athletes and coaching staffs healthy and active.
To begin the process of safely resuming athletics, student-athletes will be coming back in phases, assuring they don鈥檛 quickly overpopulate the campus. The football team will be reporting back first. Due to their size, they will come back in groupings, each separated by one week. Fifty players will arrive in Montgomery on July 12, 35 more on July 19, and the remaining 30 on July 26.
Soccer and volleyball players are scheduled to arrive on Aug. 3, with cheerleaders and cross country runners set to show on Aug. 5.聽
Upon arrival, everyone in their respective programs will need to have a negative test for COVID-19 before being able to interact with fellow team members. Anyone who tests positive will be quarantined for two weeks and require a negative test result before being allowed to exit quarantine.
Social distancing has been encouraged for all programs, maintaining the six-foot distancing protocol suggested by the CDC. Meeting in groups of more than 10 will be outlawed, but for official team meetings and activities, alternate precautions will be allowed.
On top of the 鈥淩eturn to Play鈥� action plan, the ASU athletic department also constructed a facility use plan. This will feature occupancy limits, and states that appropriate signage will be placed within all athletic facilities to limit large groups from gathering.聽
In addition, the Fred Shuttlesworth Dining Hall will not allow in-hall meals. The staff there will be preparing 鈥済rab-and-go鈥� meals for all student-athletes. Buffets will be outlawed for the time being, but breakfast, lunch and dinner will still be provided for the students both during the summer and school year.聽
As many other universities seem to unfortunately be moving in the other direction, Alabama State has remained progressive during these tough times. If and when NCAA sports get the go-ahead, the Hornets will be well-prepared in their craft and optimistically, healthy.聽
