Cullowhee, N.C. – In early July, WCU Athletics begins a phased return of student-athletes to campus in advance of the fall 2020 semester. This return includes football and men's and women's basketball student-athletes first during the summer months.
 
The organized return to campus is based on the guiding principles from the WCU Athletics COVID-19 Working Group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local and on-campus healthcare partners, the NCAA and the Southern Conference also guide our decision-making. Those principles encompass education and communications; consideration of student-athlete expectations; COVID-19 testing and surveillance; systems for tracking, isolation and quarantine; social distancing protocols; personal protection; mental health; and cleaning and disinfecting.
 
WCU Athletics is approved for the following:

1. A July 6 return for those sports with permitted summer access activities.
2. A regular return date for those sports with preseason dates before the start of school in the fall semester.
3. Athletic performance strength and conditioning activities per the guidelines of North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, limiting workouts to groups of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors.
4. Beginning July 6, athletic training and rehabilitation will be available to all student-athletes, by appointment.

 
Before student-athletes are cleared to return to campus and begin workouts, the following will have occurred:
 

1. Confirmation of no high-risk exposures to COVID-19 for at least two weeks prior to the return to campus, and the absence of typical COVID-19 symptoms for at least two weeks prior.
2. Completion of the full COVID-19 screening, to be administered by the athletic training staff, before receiving access to athletic facilities.
3. Receipt of educational information from athletics/university staff to include suggestions for protecting themselves and others; expectations and new policies in athletics facilities; and other necessary information for student-athlete health and well-being.
4. Student-athletes will self-quarantine for at least seven days prior to returning to athletics (as per NCAA chief medical officer).

 
Below are the additional health and well-being measures required of all student-athletes, coaches and staff returning to campus in July.
 
Daily Protocols:

• All WCU Athletics venues will have set times for use and a rigid schedule that includes ample time between sessions for proper cleaning and sanitization;

• All student-athletes, coaches, and staff will be required to have a temperature check and screening by the athletic training staff daily before utilizing any athletics facility;
• Faculty, staff, students including student-athletes and visitors are expected to adhere to placards and instructional signage that will be placed throughout the buildings, utilizing proper entrances and facility access patterns as some hallways will have restricted access;
• Hand sanitizer should be used upon entering and leaving athletics facilities;
• Locker room facilities will be restricted to a set schedule based upon the 10-member workout groups, adhering to the guidelines set forth by the North Carolina governor's office as it relates to indoor activities and gatherings;
• Student-athletes will be required to use their personal water bottle and face coverings for all indoor workouts and while in indoor common areas. In place of a shared chalk bowl in the weight room, workout gloves may be worn to protect hands during lifts;
• WCU Athletics performance staff will utilize face covering during all indoor strength and conditioning sessions. Athletic training staff will utilize face coverings and gloves during treatment/rehab sessions; and
• WCU Athletics facilities will be cleaned thoroughly and sanitized as soon as each session has ended and before any other student-athletes enter.

 
Testing Positive for COVID-19
If a student-athlete tests positive for COVID-19, he or she will self-isolate for no less than 14 days and receive daily check-ups with WCU Athletics athletic training staff, under the direction of the team physician Dr. Jason Creel. Student-athletes will follow the university's procedure for COVID-19 positive patients.
 
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Thorough cleaning and sanitizing of each athletics facility will take place before returning the following business day. All WCU Athletics employees will be diligent and accountable for the cleanliness of the facilities, led by each facility's operations staff.
 
 
Related Link:
NCAA Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: Action Plan Considerations