North Carolina Wrestling Forum
ANY ISSUES - admin@ncwrestlingscoutreport.com => High School Wrestling => Topic started by: Longdayrunner on August 04, 2020, 07:32:23 AM
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Some local high school football teams begin Phase 2 of NCHSAA summer workouts, while others can't
Union County Schools Start Phase 2, While Charlotte Mecklenburg has yet to begin
Author: Ashley Stroehlein
Published: 12:10 AM EDT August 4, 2020
Updated: 12:10 AM EDT August 4, 2020
https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/union-county-schools-start-phase-2-while-charlotte-mecklenburg-has-yet-to-begin/275-93df0783-070c-4338-8055-b0ee5d0f635d
UNION COUNTY, N.C. — While high schools in North Carolina wait to see if the 2020 football season will take place this fall, some counties have made the decision to allow teams to begin workouts, while others have not.
Union County began workouts on July 6, and now have been cleared to enter Phase 2 of NCHSAA summer workouts, which means equipment can be shared. However, other counties like Charlotte Mecklenburg have not been allowed to practice at all.
"I'm proud of our county for giving us a chance to do it and we are definitely taking it serious. I think the kids are doing a great job and the coaches are too of keeping socially distanced, wearing your mask on and off the field. Just doing the little things right. Every day we are out here is a blessing," Weddington High School head football coach Andy Capone said.
Meanwhile for schools in CMS, a plan for when athletes can return remains unclear.
"Very uncertain. I keep hearing we are waiting on things, but I don’t know what it is we are waiting on. Obviously, if the governor decides to put us in Phase 3 that's an important step, but other than that we keep being told no change, waiting on further guidance and none of us really know what exactly that means. The frustrating thing is we don't really know what to communicate to our players and our parents,” Myers Park head football coach Scott Chadwick explained.
Right now, the start of the first official practice for the 2020 high school football season has been delayed until at least September first.
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OHIO HEALTH DEPARTMENT REQUIRES COVID-19 TESTS BEFORE ANY CONTACT SPORT COMPETITION, INCLUDING WRESTLING
By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling and assorted sources | Aug. 04, 2020, 1:46 p.m. (ET)
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/August/04/Ohio-requires-COVID-testing-before-any-contact-sport-competition
In a "Director's Order" from Ohio's Department of Health, signed by Interim Director Lance D. Himes, the state of Ohio is requiring that those participating in contact sports must have a COVID-19 test 72 hours in advance of competition, and the results must be in hand when they arrive at the competition.
Wrestling is considered a contact sport by the Ohio Department of Health. In Himes order, the contact sports are "football, basketball, rugby, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, hockey, boxing, futsal and martial arts with opponents."
Wrestling is a popular sport in Ohio, with participants at the youth, high school, college and international levels.
Media reports indicate that the high school sports community in Ohio have considerable concerns that this requirement may be too costly for them to comply with.
EXCERPTS FROM LETTER FROM OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
10. Sector Specific COVID-19 Information and Checklist for Inter-Team Contact Sport Competition
a. Players, Coaches, Athletic Trainers, Support Staff, and Officials must:
iii. Receive a negative COVID-19 test result before traveling to competition; and,
iv. A PCR COVID-19 test must be administered to each athlete and team staff member participating in the competition no more than 72 hours prior to the start of the competition and the results must be in hand prior to the start of the competition; any athlete or staff member testing positive and their entire team and staff are prohibited from participation in the competition; and all participants must remain in isolation with other their teammate and team staff from the time the COVID-19 test is administered until completion of the competition.
v. At all times, adhere to general quarantine by limiting contact with others to only teammates and team staff;
vii. If competition lasts more than four days, administer a second COVID-19 test four days after the first test was administered. A negative test clears the athlete for competition; a positive test prohibits the athlete, teammates and all team staff from continued participation in the competition
ix. Be tested every two days after that for the duration of the tournament.
b. Confirmed Case
i. Immediately isolate and seek medical care for any individual who develops symptoms
ii. Contact the local health district about suspected cases or exposure
iii. Event organizer shall cooperate with health department to identify potentially infected or exposed individuals to help facilitate effective exposure notification
iv. It is recommended that, if possible, test all suspected infections or exposures.
v. It is recommended that, if possible, following testing, contact local health department to initiate appropriate care and exposure notification.
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CHSAA MOVES COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING SEASON TO JANUARY THROUGH MARCH
By CHSAA | Aug. 05, 2020, 8:28 a.m. (ET)
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/August/05/CHSAA-moves-Colorado-high-school-season-to-January-through-March
AURORA — The Colorado High School Activities Association has announced its 2020-2021 interscholastic athletics and activities calendar, following months of collaboration with Gov. Jared Polis, the CHSAA Resocialization Task Force, the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, the state's COVID-19 Response team, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the CHSAA Board of Directors and administrative staff.
"The health and safety of our student participants, coaches, officials and essential personnel, including volunteers is a primary concern for the return of interscholastic athletics and activities," said CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. "We are very grateful for the state, health and educational leaders for their shared commitment of a return to these highly beneficial education programs when it is deemed safe for all school communities."
Note that the resumption of all activities and athletics are subject to change based upon any changes to national, state or local guidelines.
The 2020-21 season will be played with a modified sport schedule due to the on-going global pandemic, creating four separate sports seasons during the school year.
Following a phone call with Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday, Blanford-Green and CHSAA received a final response on the plan it submitted to the state's COVID response team. This includes the clearance for cross country to begin this fall.
Due to the restrictive nature of the current state guidelines, and the ability to follow Colorado Department of Education requirements, all contact sports have been moved to a season which will commence later in the calendar, and allow for playoffs and culminating events without creating new conflicts.
"We would like to thank our member schools and our school communities for their patience as we worked through the many challenges to get to where we are today," Blanford-Green said.
The modified calendar splits sports into four seasons, concluding in late June: A, B, C and D
Dates and plans for non-athletic activities continue to be formulated.
For specific dates and sports seasons, see the calendar below.
Each season is approximately seven weeks from start to finish. Sports will have their regular season competition limits reduced. The postseason for each sport will also be shortened, including the number of state qualifiers.
Sports in Season B will begin on Jan. 4, and conclude by March 6. These sports include: basketball, ice hockey, skiing, spirit, girls swimming and wrestling.
Editor's Note: The first competition can be held on January 7, with a maximum of seven duals and seven days.
The following 2020 fall sports will begin as originally scheduled: boys golf began practice on Aug. 3, softball and boys tennis is set to begin on Aug. 10, and cross country on Aug. 12. According to the modified calendar, this is Season A.
The remaining traditional fall sports are unable to be played under current state health guidelines. These sports are field hockey, football, gymnastics, boys soccer, spirit, unified bowling and girls volleyball.
The sports played this fall will all be concluded by October 17. See the calendar below for specific dates.
In anticipation of data from the state which shows a likely resurgence of COVID-19 cases in late fall, there will be a participation moratorium from Oct. 18, 2020 to Jan. 3, 2021.
Season C, which begins on March 1 and concludes with championships by May 1, includes the following sports: field hockey, football, gymnastics, boys soccer, unified bowling and girls volleyball.
"I am very happy we will be having a season," said Sterling volleyball coach Lisa Schumacher. "Even though it will be delayed, we will look forward to our season in the spring."
Due to the specific equipment and safety rules around football, that sport will begin practice on Feb. 22, and conclude on May 8.
"I like that the creation of the seasons doesn't disrupt any of the traditional season, no create new conflicts between sports," said West Grand football coach Chris Brown, the state's all-time winningest football coach. "And by knowing there is a season out there, it should help keep student-athlete academically engaged throughout the year."
Said Ryan Goddard, the football coach at Pueblo South who is the football chair for the Colorado High School Coaches Association: "Certainly not the decision that we were hoping for but we are really looking forward to providing student-athletes with opportunities to compete in educational based activities in an unprecedented time. Allowing our kids to compete is what’s important, the date on the calendar is secondary."
Said Dave Logan, the football coach at Cherry Creek who is set to be inducted in the NFHS Hall of Fame: "While I am disappointed we cannot play this fall, I appreciate the fact, given the parameters of engagement, that CHSAA has done everything they can do to allow all of our students in all of our extracurricular activities to have a season in the 2020-21 school year."
The 2020-21 calendar will conclude with Season D. Sports include: baseball, girls golf, boys and girls lacrosse, girls soccer, girls tennis, boys swimming, track and field and boys volleyball. This season will begin with practice on April 26, and it concludes with the final championship on June 26.
Specific sport modifications, practice requirements, game requirements and procedures will be communicated by Thursday, including in bulletins that can be found on CHSAANow.com.
CHSAA 2020-21 Activities Calendar
The resumption of all activities and athletics are subject to change based upon any changes to national, state or local guidelines related to COVID-19. Sport-specific details will be communicated by Thursday.
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OSAA SHIFTS OREGON HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING SEASON FROM LATE DECEMBER THROUGH EARLY MARCH
By OSAA | Aug. 06, 2020, 8:47 a.m. (ET)
by Jerry Ulmer, OSAAtoday
All sports will have a seven-week regular season followed by a 'culminating week'
Adapting to restrictions from COVID-19, the OSAA has set a new course for 2020-21 school activities.
Taking a cue from Nevada's association, the OSAA announced Wednesday that it has opted to schedule truncated winter, fall and spring seasons – in that order – with contests starting in the new calendar year and running through late June.
That means the basketball season will go from Jan. 11 to March 7 and the football season will run from March 15 through May 9, all predicated on COVID-19 guidance from the Governor's Office and Oregon Health Authority.
“The goal was to try to maximize opportunities for students, providing three distinct seasons for schools later in the year,” OSAA executive director Peter Weber said.
Two weeks ago, the OSAA pushed back the first contest date of the fall season to Sept. 23, keeping the first date of fall practice at Aug. 17. But due to state restrictions for COVID-19, the vast majority of Oregon school districts have committed to starting the year with online learning, casting doubts on fall sports and activities.
By delaying the first practices until Dec. 28 and the first contests until Jan. 11, the OSAA is hopeful that more schools will have a chance to compete.
“Nearly all schools are going to have to spend a significant part of the fall in comprehensive distance learning,” Weber said, “and that will present challenges in terms of the ability to offer opportunities to students in some areas. So moving the season allows for those opportunities.”
Each sport will have a seven-week regular season followed by a “culminating week.” Weber said that the specifics of the culminating weeks are still to be determined.
“We'll have to work with our membership on what that would look like,” Weber said. “In our football contingency groups, they said that maybe that could be a bowl game. And that type of approach could be done in other activities, as well. We definitely wanted to leave room for the opportunity of some type of culminating event.”
The period between Aug. 31 and Dec. 27 – dubbed Season 1 in the plan – also presents potential opportunities for students to participate.
During that time, sports and activities will be under the discretion of local schools and districts, and will be permitted provided they fall in line with guidance from the Governor's Office and OHA. OSAA policies regarding out-of-season coaching limitations will not apply, although other OSAA policies will remain in effect.
“We think that's just as important,” Weber said of Season 1. “We'll hopefully get kids an opportunity to get re-engaged and participating. We feel like it's really important to their physical and mental health. That's a big piece.”
Athletes from all sports could benefit, especially those who missed out when spring sports were canceled, Weber said.
“They could train, they could have practice, and in some cases they could have contests against other schools in their local area or region,” Weber said. “We think it provides opportunities for kids to get back participating while preserving the seasons for later in the school year.”
The winter sports of basketball, wrestling and swimming can begin official practices Dec. 28, with their first contests Jan. 11 and culminating week March 1-7. Basketball teams will have 14-game regular seasons.
The fall sports of football, soccer, volleyball and cross country can start practicing Feb. 22 and will play their first contests March 8. All have culminating weeks of April 26-May 2, except for football, which extends to May 3-9. Football will have a seven-game regular season.
The spring sports of baseball, softball, track, golf and tennis will begin practices April 19, play their first contests May 3 and have culminating weeks June 21-27. Baseball and softball teams will have 18-game regular seasons.
Weber said that schools made it clear that they preferred to keep the traditional groupings of seasonal sports. The OSAA swapped the order of winter and fall sports because of weather.
“Cross country, soccer and football are outdoor activities, and if we can play those in March or April, that's probably a better scenario than January or February,” Weber said.
Much remains up in the air, such as scheduling (emphasis on local and regional) and the use of power rankings.
“That could look different in different activities,” Weber said.
Guidance on spectators will come from the state.
“They'll set those guidelines, and obviously we'll follow them,” Weber said.
Activities will have culminating weeks from March to May: cheer (March 8-13); dance/drill (April 12-18); speech (April 19-25); solo music (April 26-May 2); choir (May 3-9); and band and orchestra (May 10-16).
Oregon districts that have announced that they will start the school year with online learning include North Clackamas, Portland, Tigard-Tualatin, Beaverton, Eugene and Corvallis. Salem-Keizer juniors and seniors will have online learning through the first semester at the end of January.
According to current state guidance, schools can't open for in-person learning until the statewide COVID-19 testing rate is at or below 5.0 percent for three consecutive weeks.
In addition, counties must meet benchmarks to open their schools. For three weeks in a row, they must have 10 or fewer cases per 100,000 over a seven-day period and a test positivity rate of 5.0 percent or below over a seven-day period.
The OSAA does not have specific guidance from the state on whether students could participate in certain activities if they are not doing in-person learning.
“That wasn’t allowed this past spring by the governor but that could change,'” Weber said. “Even if that happens, there's still going to be challenges for schools this fall, with everything they're trying to do academically.”
Other western state associations also have made major changes to the 2020-21 calendar.
Nevada's association announced last month that it was canceling fall sports in favor of six-week seasons that will begin Jan. 15 (winter), March 5 (fall) and April 16 (spring).
Washington adopted a four-season plan that will start Sept. 7 with cross country, slowpitch softball, golf and tennis. The state's basketball season won't begin until January and the football season is delayed until March.
California's 10 regional “sections” will make their own individual plans, with most expected to go with a two-season plan that won't start until December or January. The Southern Section has scheduled its first football games for Jan. 8, but the Northern Section is keeping football in the fall, pending approval of health officials.
Idaho's association said last month that its goal is to start fall sports on time, with the first practices Aug. 10.
Click for OSAA 2020-21 School Activities Calendar
OSAA press release - OSAA adopts new 2021 School Activities Calendar
Association shifts Fall season, condenses all seasons, and waives out-of-season coaching policies
August 5, 2020 – (Wilsonville, OR) - The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) shifted its traditional Fall sports season contests to begin in March under a new 2020-21 school activities calendar approved by the association’s Executive Board on Wednesday. The Board also voted to waive current out-of-season coaching policies to allow for student participation during the Fall (Season 1). Participation will be at the discretion of the local school district in those activities allowed per directives from the Governor’s Office, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Education (ODE).
“Today’s decisions by the Executive Board provide a framework to maximize the potential opportunity for students in Oregon to participate in three seasons during the 2020-21 school year,” said Peter Weber, OSAA Executive Director. “The Board recognized that a one size fits all approach isn’t what’s best for students across the state. By waiving policy to allow regional participation this Fall, local school districts will have the discretion for participation in those areas that are able to do so safely per state directives.”
The Executive Board took this action following last week’s release of school reopening health metrics by the Governor’s Office and OHA. These metrics will result in nearly all OSAA member high schools starting in a Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) format this Fall which presents challenges for the resumption of school activities. Shifting the season calendar later in the school year provides additional time for more schools to return to a hybrid or on-site learning format while providing flexibility for local school districts to make decisions this Fall that are best for their school communities as health metrics and state guidance in this area continues to develop.
The OSAA’s new calendar provides for three distinct seasons from late December to late June with limited overlap between seasons. Traditional Winter activities will take place in January and February (Season 2), followed by Fall activities in March and April (Season 3), with Spring activities occurring in May and June (Season 4). Each season will feature an equitable 7-week regular season, with adjusted contest limitations, followed by an OSAA Culminating Week. Specific plans for culminating week events will be developed in conjunction with member schools in the coming months in alignment with large group gathering guidelines issued by the state.
The OSAA Association Year will officially begin on August 31 in Season 1 where policies restricting out-of-season coaching have been removed. This allows member school students and coaches, at the discretion of the local school district, to participate in any OSAA-sanctioned activity permitted by directives from the Governor’s Office, OHA and ODE. This participation may include conditioning, practices and interscholastic competitions in those permitted activities provided schools adhere to OSAA policies.
The OSAA will continue to work with the Governor’s Office, OHA, and ODE, along with our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) to provide information to member schools. Guidance from these entities continues to evolve, along with the pandemic itself, and will impact future OSAA decisions regarding the 2020-21 school year.
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North Carolina private high schools will still begin fall sports practice Monday
BY LANGSTON WERTZ JR.
AUGUST 06, 2020 04:35 PM , UPDATED 6 HOURS 23 MINUTES AGO
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article244772297.html
The state’s private schools have decided to move forward with fall sports.
Thursday afternoon, the N.C. Independent Schools said it will allow member schools to begin fall sports Monday with practice. It will allow games in some fall sports to begin during the week of Sept. 8.
NCISAA executive director Homar Ramirez said there would not be football games until at least Sept 11. He did say practice could begin before then and that he will meet with the state’s football coaches Friday and again next week to determine next steps. There are 19 NCISAA schools that play 11-man football.
“I think there’s a level of optimism with our football coaches,” Ramirez said, “and there’s a desire to play, but there is also caution and concern for the health and safety of student athletes. When you’re dealing with unknowns, it’s a reason for people to pause.”
Ramirez said there is not a definite date for the NCISAA to make an all-or-nothing decision about football this fall.
“We have said we have a window,” Ramirez said, “and we want to exhaust all of our options for the fall, and once we’ve done that, then we’ll consider other alternatives.”
For private schools, the plan was initially to move forward with fall sports if Gov. Roy Cooper moved the state into Phase 3 of its reopening plan. But Wednesday, Cooper extended Phase 2 for five more weeks, well into September.
Thursday’s decision by the NCISAA likely means that games played at least until Sept. 11 — when Cooper’s current order expires — would be played with no fans. Ramirez told the Observer that the NCISAA is already talking to member schools about the possibility of playing without spectators.
The first sports to play will be what the NCISAA determines as low-risk: Cross country, girls tennis and girls golf. Those can begin competition the week of Sept. 8.
The following week, moderate-risk sports can begin: Field hockey, volleyball and boys soccer.
Ramirez said these dates are subject to change and that schools can choose to begin on the earliest allowable date or a later time.
Member schools are expected to follow three sets of minimal safety standards in preparation of fall sports. They are related to practice, training and competition.
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Big Ten reportedly voted 12-2 to cancel football season; Michigan, MSU voted not to play
Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free PressPublished 10:17 a.m. ET Aug. 10, 2020 | Updated 10:50 a.m. ET Aug. 10, 2020
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2020/08/10/big-ten-football-voted-cancel-fall-football-season/3334151001/
Longtime sports personality Dan Patrick reported during his radio show Monday morning that the Big Ten has voted.
There won't be a college football season this fall.
Patrick said a source told him that the Big Ten and Pac-12 will cancel their seasons on Tuesday. He said he learned the Big 12 and ACC are "on the fence," and that the SEC is trying to get the other teams to join them for a season this fall.
According to Patrick's source, the Big Ten presidents voted, 12-2, to not play this fall. Patrick said only Nebraska and Iowa voted to play.
Hence, according to this reporting, Michigan president Mark Schlissel and Michigan State president Samuel Stanley voted to not play football this fall.
DP was told an hour ago that the Big 10 and Pac 12 will cancel their football seasons tomorrow... The ACC and the Big 12 are on the fence.. And the SEC is trying to get teams to join them for a season.
Just last week, the Big Ten released a revised 2020 schedule to begin in September.
On Sunday, Big Ten presidents met for a second straight day as momentum to cancel college sports continues to build. The Mid-American Conference became the first FBS conference to postpone all fall sports, including football, on Saturday.
Starting late Sunday night, a social media hashtag #WeWantToPlay trended, with top college football stars pushing back against the idea of not playing this fall.
A coalition of players from all the Power Five conference released a statement with demands that they want in play in order to play.
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Mountain West postpones fall 2020 college football season, intends to play in spring 2021
The Mountain West is the second conference to hold off on playing football in the fall
By Ben Kercheval 12 hrs ago 1 min read
Another conference has put off football in the fall due to ongoing concerns around the coronavirus pandemic. The Mountain West announced it has indefinitely postponed all scheduled fall sports contests and championship events, including those for football. The conference is not giving up on football entirely, however, and will consider a spring football season next year. CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd previously reported that the Mountain West would not play football in the fall.
A release from the league said the board of directors "prioritized the physical and mental health and well-being of the conference's student-athletes and overall campus communities in its decision."
"Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our students, student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff and overall communities," said Dr. Mary Papazian, chair of the MWC board of directors. "Through the hard work of many over the past several months, the conference made every effort to create an opportunity for our student-athletes to compete, and we empathize with the disappointment this creates for everyone associated with our programs. The best interests of our students and student-athletes remain our focus and we will persist in our efforts to forge a viable and responsible path forward."
Brett McMurphy of Stadium reported that Mountain West presidents wanted to play football, but became more hesitant after an increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases and questions about safety. Namely, Colorado State had been conducting an investigation into, among other things, complaints that the football program was not adhering to COVID-19 protocols. Other players within the program dispute the allegations, however.
Still, the postponement comes just five days after the league announced it would play its usual eight-game conference slate with each school given the option to add up to two nonconference matchups starting Sept. 26.
In response, Mountain West players joined their Pac-12 and Big Ten counterparts in releasing a list of "conditions to be agreed upon amongst the conference, coaches, and athletes in order to ensure our health, safety, and well-being." The Mountain West United movement included standards for testing and safety, eligibility and scholarship guarantees, and other player assurances.
The Mountain West's decision would means a total of 26 FBS schools have opted not to play in the fall. The Mid-American Conference became the first FBS conference to cancel football for the fall over the weekend. UConn and Old Dominion have also elected not to play.
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FBS independent UMass cancels fall college football
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29638707/sources-fbs-independent-umass-cancels-fall-football
UMass is canceling its fall football season, the school announced Tuesday.
An FBS independent, UMass may attempt to play a season this spring, athletic director Ryan Bamford said.
"The continuing challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic posed too great of a risk, and we reached the conclusion that attempting to play a season would not have placed the members of our program in the safest situation possible," Bamford said in a statement.
"... These times have presented us with extensive uncertainty, and we are disappointed for all the members of our fall sports programs who will not have the opportunity to compete this autumn. We remain hopeful and fully intend to conduct a competitive schedule for our fall sports in the 2021 spring semester."
Tuesday's decision to cancel the fall season follows a similar move by UConn, which last Wednesday became the first FBS program to call off its fall football season. UMass and UConn had been set to open the season against each other Sept. 3.
UMass held a team meeting Tuesday morning to inform players of the decision, a source said. The Minutemen had been set to open the season at home Sept. 12 against Troy.
UMass coach Walt Bell said he was "absolutely heartbroken" for his players and fans, and he issued a statement on Twitter after the school's decision.
"For the majority of players and coaches in our program, this will be the first fall without football since they could run on two feet," Bell said. "Our players have done an incredible job battling through unbelievable adversity since Friday, March 13th. This group is resilient! Contrary to popular belief, this generation is tough!
Our players have battled the pandemic, a completely new academic environment, civil and social unrest, racism, food insolubility, parents being laid off and furloughed, and even tougher for young people -- the unknown.
"Throughout this entire process, our players have been incredibly invested. Our UMass Football parents have been incredibly understanding and supportive as well. The future of UMass Football is going to be special."
Bell said that, as of Monday, out of 733 tests for COVID-19, there was only been one positive test -- with the results of 125 tests taken Monday still to be determined.
Two FBS independents and two leagues, the Mid-American and Mountain West, have decided not to play a fall football season. Decisions could come later Tuesday from the Big Ten, Pac-12 and other conferences.
UMass joined the FBS in 2012 as a member of the Mid-American Conference but left the league following the 2015 season and became independent in football. Most of UMass' teams compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference.