NCAA Releases Safety Guidelines for Basketball
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe NCAA Sport Science Institute has released its first set of health and safety guidelines focusing on college basketball. The Indianapolis-based organization says the guidelines include updates on testing, travel considerations, and access to the court and bench areas.
The Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Basketball was presented Friday to the NCAA Board of Governors, which gave its support.
“This basketball resocialization guidance is based on the best information available in a rapidly changing COVID-19 environment.” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a news release. “It is predicated on the assumption that rapid testing capabilities will be readily available later this year. We will constantly assess emerging information as we prepare for the start of the basketball season at the end of November.”
Among the guidelines is the recommendation of testing three times per week on non-consecutive days throughout the season, including for officials. The report also suggests appropriately distancing “Tier 1” individuals, including student-athletes and essential personnel who are in regular proximity to them, from other essential personnel during games.
Brian Hainline, chief medical officer for the NCAA, says the organization will continue to work with the NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group, which includes team physicians, infectious disease and public policy experts, and representatives from member schools, on any updates that may need to be made.
You can view the full guidelines by clicking here.
Earlier this month, the NCAA approved the start of the 2020-2021 Division I men’s and women’s basketball seasons, which is now set for November 25.