Pictured Above: USF Football is one of few university sports teams that has been given permission to compete this Fall.
Courtesy of Alyssa Coburn
By Annalise Anderson
USF Athletics has reopened its facilities and initiated the upcoming sports season in accordance with the USF COVID-19 safety guidelines.
The department is adhering to the university’s reopening plans and the operational guidelines established by the American Athletic Conference (AAC) entering the fall semester and the upcoming sports season.
General principles were outlined to guide the reopening of athletics facilities that require the consent of state, local and university officials before moving ahead.
USF Athletics has established its own Infection Response Team (IRT) to monitor the compliance of reopening guidelines. The IRT has also established a plan of action for newly diagnosed cases in USF Athletics.
Employees and student-athletes who return to campus are required to receive COVID-19 safety and hygiene training prior to utilizing facilities and must agree to report health information to the IRT.
USF’s football, soccer, volleyball and cross-country teams have been given permission by the AAC to compete this fall. Decisions regarding competition of other USF sports teams are to be announced at a later date.
If officials allow spectators to attend university sporting events, USF Athletics will implement safety protocols for tailgating, entrance screenings and physical distancing. Venue capacity restrictions will also be enforced.
“I always enjoy attending USF sporting events as a fan,” said history major Savannah Kunkle in a Facebook comment to The Crow’s Nest. “And as long as they can be attended safely, I would love to continue to do so!”
USF Football’s opening game against University of Texas, originally scheduled for Sept. 5, has been canceled. The NCAA championships were canceled due to college participation rate falling below 50%.
USF campuses remain in Phase II of the multiphase reopening plan. Visit USF’s Returning to Campus website for updates on the reopening of USF Athletics.
