Each university is consulting with team physicians and in some cases medical school personnelGETTY IMAGES
Big 12 schools are "developing a system for a safe environment upon return in the COVID-19 landscape," as conference ADs yesterday spent part of a 45-minute video conference "discussing precautions and how to safely handle the return," according to Chuck Carlton of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. The meeting was "part of what passes for the traditional spring conference meetings," along with a teleconference of ADs and presidents tomorrow and the presidents meeting on Friday. Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said that plans are "not necessarily a one size fits all approach to campuses." The Big 12 has "contracted with Infection Control Education for Major Sports, run by two Duke physicians, to help them with procedures." Bowlsby also said that each school is "consulting with its own team physicians and in some cases personnel from campus medical schools." Baylor AD Mack Rhoades, who is this year's Chair of Big 12 ADs, said that the group has been "discussing a return to campus for at least the last month in regular meetings." Rhoades said that Baylor "plans to have its football players report beginning June 15." Bowlsby said that he is "happy with the June 15 date for a football return, followed by July 1 for other fall sport athletes and July 15 for winter and spring athletes." He also "acknowledged those dates could be 'revisited' depending on what information the conference gets about COVID-19" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/27).
UNITY OF PURPOSE? ACC Commissioner John Swofford said it is "just too soon to know” if the Power 5 conferences will be united in playing games this season. Swofford said, “If some schools are unable to play and make that decision, I don’t think that keeps everyone from playing. Everything is still on the table at this point.” Swofford: “It’s really premature to make the decisions that ultimately need to be made.” Within the ACC, Swofford said “if half or more of our schools can play,” the league “would make every effort to do that” (“Lunch Talk Live,” NBCSN, 5/26). ESPN's Paul Finebaum is adamant “we are going to see” college football this year, adding, “That is not my personal opinion, it’s based on talking to countless people, from commissioners to athletic directors to football coaches.” Finebaum: “Ultimately, they’ll find a way to get some students on campus. I don't think you will see a full campus … but they know they have to reach a certain threshold" (“OTL,” ESPN, 5/26).
UPDATE FROM OUT WEST: Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott expects a “majority” of the conference's football programs to begin welcoming back athletes for on-campus voluntary workouts by June 15. SI.com's Ross Dellenger noted that is the "earliest date that schools can reopen facilities to all athletes, a ruling league presidents made" earlier yesterday. Conference leaders feel that "many of the 12 league members can open by then, a reason for determining that date." Scott said, “There’s a sense of unity, not unanimity, but some unity. There is a sense that by then a majority of our schools should be able to open, that this is a step most schools can make together at that time" (SI.com, 5/26).
