General 5/29/2020 12:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO Athletics To Reopen June 1

Three-Phase Plan For Returning Student-Athletes

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma athletic department announced Friday its plan for reopening under the guidance of medical professionals and university leadership. The UCO athletic department will reopen Monday, June 1 on a limited basis and as the beginning of a three-phase plan.

"We are ready to get back to allowing our coaches and student-athletes to do what they are here to do, but we know it is of the most importance to do that in a way that keeps the health and safety of every individual as the top priority," UCO Interim Athletic Director Chuck Bailey said. "In working with the president and the university's COVID-19 Task Force, we feel like we have come up with a phased plan that will allows us to reopen. We are going to be vigilant about health and safety as we do this. And we will continue to work with leadership in June and July to ensure we are maintaining the best practices."

Student-athletes will be allowed to return to campus for voluntary workouts during Phase I (June 1-19). All student-athletes will be screened by the athletic training staff at the Sports Performance Center and must demonstrate they are symptom free before being cleared to participate. A daily questionnaire will be completed to track temperatures and other symptoms. Following NCAA and MIAA rules, access to and use of facilities and equipment will be coordinated and scheduled through strength & conditioning personnel, athletic training and coaches, where permissible. Coaches and/or staff must be present for oversight during training. All team activities and workouts will occur on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Only current UCO student-athletes who have been cleared by the athletic training staff may utilize the facilities (i.e. no pick-up games vs outside competition).

Team activities and workouts will be limited to no more than 20 people, including coaches and/or trainers. Current CDC Guidelines recommend six feet distance between individuals. Personal protection equipment (PPE) including gloves, masks, disinfecting wipes and sprays will be made available and used in accordance with university guidelines.

Phase II (June 22-July 5) will follow the same guidelines and best practices while allowing for no more than 40 people at one time to be involved in training activities.

Phase III will begin July 6 and normal operations will resume from that point. Physical distancing and use of personal protection equipment will remain strongly encouraged as will an emphasis on the cleaning and sanitizing of all equipment and areas of activity.

The UCO Athletic Department will continue to work with university leadership and the university's pandemic task force to ensure best practices are put in place. All phases of the reopening plan are subject to change given new information.

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