Pac-12 To Resume College Football in November
Based on updated Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee recommendations that looked at changes to testing capabilities, prevalence of COVID-19, and state and local health official guidance, the Pac-12 CEO Group approved the start of the football season on November 6 for teams that have approval from its local health officials.
Pac-12 universities with the necessary public health approvals may commence practice immediately with a seven-game conference-only season to begin on November 6, and the Pac-12 Championship Game on December 18, enabling Pac-12 teams to be considered for selection by the College Football Playoff. The football schedule will be released in the coming days, according to an issued press release from the conference.In addition to the consistent access to sufficient testing across all Pac-12 programs, community prevalence has shown continued improvement in the majority of communities across the Pac-12 footprint, the release said. To address concerns regarding potential health outcomes related to the virus, each Pac-12 sports medicine group will be implementing cardiac monitoring protocols for all student-athletes with a positive test. The Pac-12 institutions are also participating in a national COVID-19 cardiac registry which will allow for medical practitioners to monitor closely, and gain greater insight into, potential health outcomes in student-athletes.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports remains our guiding light and number one priority,” Pac-12 CEO Group Chair and University of Oregon President Michael Schill said in the release. “Our CEO Group has taken a measured and thoughtful approach to today’s decision, including extensive consultation with stakeholders on the evolving information and data related to health and safety.”
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