SEC to allow voluntary in-person athletics activities on June 8

SEC athletes will be allowed to return to athletic activities on campus on June 8.

Following a ruling by the NCAA earlier in the week that allowed the voluntary participation in athletic activities for football and basketball athletes beginning in June, the SEC has followed with a return for their athletes scheduled for June 8.

The return will be voluntary and will be supervised by selected university personnel and obeying the safety guidelines each university will create.

“The safe and healthy return of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and our greater university communities have been and will continue to serve as our guiding principle as we navigate this complex and constantly-evolving situation,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “At this time, we are preparing to begin the fall sports season as currently scheduled, and this limited resumption of voluntary athletic activities on June 8 is an important initial step in that process. Thanks to the blueprint established by our Task Force and the dedicated efforts of our universities and their athletics programs, we will be able to provide our student-athletes with far better health and wellness education, medical and psychological care and supervision than they would otherwise receive on their own while off campus or training at public facilities as states continue to reopen.”

Each state will have different protocols as the coronavirus has affected different states and regions differently so there won’t be a standard uniform set of rules of safety practices to follow.

However, there will be recommended health and safety measures, including a three-stage screening process of student-athletes before arriving on campus and daily after athletic activities commence. Additionally, symptomatic members of the team and team support will have testing available, team members will immediately be isolated if they are diagnosed and a gradual ramp-up for full training and sport activity will be allowed after a long period of inactivity.

While the SEC made its formal announcement for a voluntary return on June 8, but it’s not expected from the ACC and Big Ten. Those conferences will let the member schools determine when it’s time for their student-athletes to return to campus.

The Big 12 and Pac-12, however, are expected to have a vote to make a formal announcement when their member schools can return.

Many of the Power 5 schools can return whenever they want so long as it’s after June 8. There’s been speculation the Big 12 return date could be June 15, but that won’t be formalized until next week.

Momentum is moving in a positive direction toward the 2020 college football season taking place. While there will be some challenges in the weeks ahead, fans can be optimistic their team and sport will be back this fall.

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