Despite the coronavirus pandemic and numerous universities and athletic conferences, including the Big 10 Conference and the Pac-12 Conference, the Big 12 and its 10 teams, including Texas Christian University, are moving forward with a fall sports schedule that includes playing football.
“Our student-athletes want to compete, and it is the board’s collective opinion that sports can be conducted safely and in concert with the best interests of their well-being,” said TCU Chancellor Victor Boschini, who is the Big 12 Board of Directors Chairman. “We remain vigilant in monitoring the trends and effects of COVID 19 as we learn more about the virus. If at any point our scientists and doctors conclude that our institutions cannot provide a safe and appropriate environment for our participants, we will change course.”
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said he is confident in the conference’s protocols and ability to keep athletes safe.
“The virus continues to evolve and medical professionals are learning more with each passing week,” Bowlsby said. “Opinions vary regarding the best path forward, as we’ve seen throughout higher education and our society overall, but we are comfortable in our institutions’ ability to provide a structured training environment, rigorous testing and surveillance, hospital quality sanitation and mitigation practices that optimize the health and safety of our student-athletes.”
The conference is “enhancing” its COVID-19 protocols. Protocols will include three tests per week in “high contact” sports such as football and volleyball. Players who test positive will be required to receive an EKG, troponin blood test, echocardiogram and cardiac MRI to return to play.
Big 12 Conference teams each will play one non-conference game, then games against the nine other conference teams.
The Big 12 Conference football schedule is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment