NCAA outlines 9 core principles of resocialization of collegiate sports

The NCAA has outlined a nine-step initiative for how college sports will emerge out of the coronavirus pandemic and return to a sense of normalcy.

Between the one-time transfer, student-athletes being paid for their name, image and likeness and adapting to a world without sports, the NCAA has been awfully busy.

The latest order of business for the NCAA is outlining nine core principles of resocialization of collegiate sports.

This is ongoing with the NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL and all other professional sports leagues around the country and the world, but college sports are different in that they are students first and they aren’t getting paid. That presents some unique challenges and obstacles for the NCAA to return to sports.

The first step of the first phase begins when COVID-19 infection rates lower for at least two weeks. After that, it won’t be a flood to rush into the world with arms wide open. It will be a slow, deliberate and methodical approach to ensure a spike in infection rates and another prolonged shutdown.

In sports terms, think of a football player nursing an injured hamstring. You don’t want the player to rush to return from the injury and risk a setback that could end his season. Therefore, you are patient, take an extra week if necessary to make sure when you return, you return for good, and don’t run the risk of a crippling setback.

Decisions will be rooted in science and in accordance with local and state public officials when it comes to returning to campus, practice and athletic competitions. They’ll determine when students can report back to campus when they can get back to practicing and if there are games to be played, if spectators will be allowed in the stands.

NCAA’s nine-step plan to returning to sports

"There must not be directives at the national level that preclude resocialization."

"State and local authorities must have in place a plan for resocialization."

"There should be a plan in place at the university/college level for resocialization of students."

"There must be a plan in place at the university/college level for resocialization of student-athletes within athletics."

"There must be adequate personal protective equipment for athletics health care providers, and there must be sanitizers to manage infection control in all shared athletics space."

"There must be the ability to assess immunity to COVID-19 at a regional and local level. This could include immunity at the college campus, plus a more focused assessment of herd immunity for athletics teams."

"There must be access to reliable, rapid diagnostic testing on any individual who is suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms."

"There must be in place a local surveillance system so that newly identified cases can be identified promptly and isolated, and their close contacts must be managed appropriately."

"There must be clearly identified and transparent risk analyses in place. Such risk analyses consider issues such as economics, education, restoration of society, and medical risk of sport participation, including COVID-19 infection and possible death."

Everyone wants sports back when they can come back. Everyone wants everyone healthy and devoid of risk of catching or spreading this deadly virus. The NCAA is taking the necessary precaution and steps to protect the student-athletes and give them an idea of how things will work and operate coming out of the pandemic. All we can do is take things one day at a time.

For more information on the NCAA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit ncaa.org/covid-19.

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