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Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: Developing Standards for Practice and Competition

This third publication, Developing Standards for Practice and Competition regarding resocialization of collegiate sport, updates the prior two documents and provides new guidance specific to the prevention of community spread of COVID-19 in the athletics setting. Importantly, the guidelines provide NCAA members tools to assist with their efforts to provide a healthy and safe environment for those participating in athletics. Key takeaways from the guidance include:

  • Asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread of COVID-19 is common in young adults.
  • COVID-19 remains high risk for certain individuals, including those with a Body Mass Index of 30 or greater.
  • Testing strategies should be implemented for all athletics activities, including pre-season, regular season and post-season.
  • Testing and results should be obtained within 72 hours of competition in high contact risk sports.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing is the preferred method of testing, but alternative strategies will be considered as testing technology evolves.
  • Daily self-health checks should be performed by all student-athletes and athletics personnel before entering any athletics facility.
  • Physical distancing and masks/cloth face coverings are an integral part of athletics, and should be practiced whenever feasible.
  • Although face shields are not proven to offer the same risk mitigation as masks/cloth face coverings, they should be integrated into sport where feasible.
  • Universal masking should be observed on all sidelines, including when an athlete moves from the playing field to the sideline to confer with a coach.
  • Training should occur outdoors. When not feasible, indoor training with good ventilation is preferable to indoor training with poor ventilation.
  • Hand sanitization, cough/sneeze etiquette, physical distancing and masks/cloth face coverings are key in COVID-19 risk mitigation.
  • Time-based strategies for resuming activities after positive test results should follow CDC recommendations.
  • All individuals with high-risk exposure must be quarantined for 14 days.
  • All student-athletes and athletics personnel should understand that COVID-19 risk mitigation practices should be observed at ALL times, including non-athletic related activities.
This email was sent to NCAA Divisions I, II and III Athletics Health Care Administrators, Conference Commissioners, Directors of Athletics, Directors of Compliance, Faculty Athletics Representatives, Head Athletic Trainers, Head Coaches, Head Team Physicians, Presidents and Chancellors, Senior Woman Administrators, Sports Information Directors, and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members based on contact information in the  NCAA Directory ; and to select NCAA staff.

COVID-19