Clemson University announced its three-phase plan for returning football and basketball student-athletes to campus on Tuesday, putting forward the first step towards the return of NCAA athletics in 2020.
Clemson football and basketball student-athletes will be cleared to return to campus starting June 6 for voluntary activities. But before they can return to campus, they will have to undergo a seven-day social and physical distancing period at home, before they can return to the Clemson area.
Once in the Clemson area, they will have to go another seven days symptom-free before they will participate in pre-participation physicals with university medical staff. The examinations will include COVID-19 and antibody testing.
Student-athletes will also go through daily screening before being allowed into the facility.
Coaches will work remotely during Phase I, as only athletes and staff directly responsible for the health of the players will be allowed in the facilities.
“We are encouraged to begin the first step in the implementation of our Phase I planning and appreciate the leadership of our University in helping us prepare for our student-athletes and staff to return in early June,” said Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich in a press release. “We are confident in our ability to provide a safe environment and have put our energy into that goal. We’re encouraged by the progress and remain vigilant as we begin to welcome a limited number of student-athletes back to our facilities.”
Phase II and III will see the returns of coaching staffs and larger groups of student-athletes.
Clemson’s three-phase plan could see some changes, as the university is following up with the CDC, DHEC, ACC, and NCAA.
The plan is just to get student-athletes on campus and working out. There are still no details about the Fall athletic schedule at this time.
These measures are an essential first step to being able to possibly see college football in 2020 and comes a few days after the SEC voted to allow student-athletes back on campus starting June 1.
The next few weeks will be vital to when and how we could see college football this Fall.
Written by Danny Morales