A couple days after the NCAA decided that Division I football and basketball student-athletes can participate in on-campus voluntary athletic activities beginning June 1, BYU Athletics announced it will initiate a multiphase plan to allow its student-athletes that option.
The NCAA encourages programs to follow all applicable local, state and federal regulations regarding use of such facilities, group size restrictions and any other limit. Council members also extended a blanket waiver allowing teams in those sports to require eight hours per week of virtual nonphysical activities through the end of June, recognizing that some student-athletes won’t be able return to campus or will not be comfortable doing so.
Last week, Utah Governor Gary Herbert moved the state into yellow/low risk phase. The new health risk status allows groups of up to 50 people to get together, while still encouraging social distancing guidelines.
BYU football and men's and women's basketball student-athletes will have the option to utilize select university athletic training facilities beginning Monday, June 1, under the supervision of the BYU training staff.
Then, additional student-athletes from other teams will be incorporated in subsequent phases, subject to future NCAA directives.
“We have worked closely with the University leadership, medical professionals, training staff and coaches to prepare a comprehensive plan for our student-athletes to begin participating in voluntary activities in select athletic facilities,” BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said in a statement. “The multiphase plan provides opportunities for our student-athletes to resume some of the workout routines typical of this time of year.”
In order to minimize the risk and potential spread of COVID-19, the following measures will be followed: passing electronic symptom checks, physical distancing, appropriate use of face coverings and more.
