WS Chronicle

The NCCAA released a statement on July 23, 2020, in response to future athletic seasons and to require safety protocols for COVID-19. As of now, the NCCAA intends to maintain its championship schedules for 2020-21. The current COVID-19 climate is fluid and the national office continues to monitor this environment. 

Safety Protocol

When student-athletes and staff from our institution begin to interact with those from another, we must all work together to keep our community safe by following safety protocol. As a student-athlete at Carolina University, it is important to act responsibly concerning your health, protect the health of others, and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Act Responsibly Concerning Your Health:

*Monitor for the symptoms of flu-like illness that could signal COVID-19 and immediately report when experiencing any of the following:

*Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, dry cough, or difficulty breathing

*Chills, repeated shaking, or muscle pain

*Headache, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell

*Wash hands often with soap and water (or hand sanitizer if soap/water are unavailable)

Protect the Health of Others:

*Maintain appropriate social distancing within the training room, weight room, locker room, and high volume communal areas

*Stay home if you feel ill, have any of the symptoms listed above, or have been exposed to someone who is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19

*Wear an appropriate face mask as directed by the University

*Be positive and helpful to others around who need support

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19:

*Keep clothing, personal items, personal spaces, and community spaces clean

*Cooperate with testing and contact tracing

*Carefully follow university requirements to self-isolate or quarantine

Screening

Student-Athletes will be screened every day a practice or team activity occurs. We will monitor and document each participant’s temperatures, observe for COVID symptoms, and ask medical history questions related to COVID-19 and exposure to the virus. If an athlete is withheld from participation through the screening process, he or she must quarantine immediately, consult with a healthcare provider, and continue to isolate from athletic activities until getting a release from a healthcare professional or a negative PCR test.

Testing

Testing is not required for student-athletes and staff prior to returning or competing. If multiple student-athletes on a single team test positive, the institution must assess whether the team should continue in competitions.

With the uncertainty of COVID-19, the NCCAA Administration Committee approved a waiver that will not charge student-athletes for participation in the 2020-21 season if their team can only complete 50% or less of the sport’s maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Student-athletes whose teams complete more than 50% of the sport’s maximum contests/dates of competition during the 2020-21 season would not be eligible for the waiver, regardless of whether the student-athlete competed 50% or less of the season. Amending the criteria for a season of competition would ensure student-athletes have four meaningful seasons of participation opportunities.