Pac-12 extends suspension of athletic activities due to coronavirus outbreak
The Pac-12 has extended its suspension of organized activities through May 31, with limited exceptions based on athlete well-being, due to the spread of COVID-19. There will be periodic re-evaluations over the coming weeks should circumstances warrant a change in policy.
Washington had already canceled all athletic-related activities and events — including workouts, training and practices — through the end of the spring quarter on June 5.
The Pac-12 released key elements of the suspension on Monday. They are as follows:
▪ No organized, in-person team activities of any type;
▪ No in-person voluntary workouts, film study sessions, meetings, technique drills or practices of any type;
▪ Virtual or online supervised voluntary workouts and skill instruction are not permitted, regardless of location;
▪ Virtual group activities, including film study, are permitted to two (2) hours per week for football and four (4) hours per week for all other sports. We are appealing to the NCAA to increase the two-hour football limit in the near future;
▪ Coaches can recommend written, self-directed workout plans, and taped demonstration videos on workout plans are allowed in order to demonstrate proper form and technique;
▪ In-person, on-campus nutrition may be provided in circumstances where student-athletes are unable to leave campus, and off-campus nutrition is limited to distribution of products normally available on campus;
▪ It is fully permissible to provide non-athletically related support to student-athletes, including sports medicine treatments, physical therapy and rehabilitation; academic support; and mental health and wellness support; and
▪ It is permissible for institutions to provide off-campus student-athletes with apparel and personal equipment that is regularly available to student-athletes when they are on campus for conditioning workouts. It is not permissible to rent, purchase or arrange for conditioning or strength training equipment or machines.
On March 14, the Pac-12 canceled all conference and non-conference sports competitions and Pac-12 championships through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year. The conference also suspended organized activities through March 29.
The NCAA previously released a statement regarding eligibility for spring sports athletes. It read: “Council leadership agreed that eligibility relief is appropriate for all Division I student-athletes who participated in spring sports. Details of eligibility relief will be finalized at a later time. Additional issues with NCAA rules must be addressed, and appropriate governance bodies will work through those in the coming days and weeks.”
This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 9:49 AM.
