ASHEVILLE – As part of the UNC Asheville Fall 2020 Plan for resuming in-person academic and co-curricular operations on August 10 if public health conditions allow and with the safety of all employees and students as the top priority, the UNC Asheville Athletic Department shared its plan for a return to campus for Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff ahead of the fall 2020 semester.

UNC Asheville’s NCAA Division I Athletics Program provides more than 270 student-athletes across 16 NCAA Division I sports with opportunities to pursue their academic, athletic and lifelong goals as champions and leaders in life.

The UNC Asheville Athletics plan was designed to support the University’s Plan and follows UNC System, University, NCAA, Big South Conference, and American College Health Association health and safety guidelines, best practices and protocols without exception. The Athletics plan covers the following topics:  prior and return to campus, return to athletic facilities, facility specific considerations, return to practice and competition, travel during competition, response to infection or presumed infection, and home competition. UNC Asheville Athletics will closely monitor local, state and national developments and update standards and safety protocols as needed.

Prior to the return to campus, all UNC Asheville employees and students, including Athletics staff, coaches, and student-athletes will be educated via email and Zoom regarding new health, safety, and building protocols. On-going educational sessions will continue upon arrival to campus. All University employees, students and visitors will be expected to adhere to all health and virus mitigation protocols including wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and social distancing.

The outline of the UNC Asheville Athletics Action Plan includes seven phases beginning June 8. As with the UNC Asheville Fall 2020 Plan the Athletics plan will be updated as needed. Sport-specific practice and competition plans will be developed for all 16 sports in anticipation of six weeks of training and practice for student-athletes prior to competition.

Action Plan:

PHASE 1: June 8 – Essential Athletics Staff/Head Coaches permitted to return
PHASE 2: (A) June 15 – Fall Sport Assistant Coaches permitted to return
PHASE 2: (B) June 22 – Remaining Assistant Coaches permitted to return
PHASE 3: June 29 – Remaining Athletics Staff permitted to return

PHASE 4: July 6 – Rehab/Voluntary student-athlete workouts permitted

PHASE 5: (A) August 2 – Group 1 Student-Athletes permitted to return
PHASE 5: (B) August 4 – Group 2 Student-Athletes permitted to return
PHASE 5: (C) August 9 – Group 3 Student-Athletes permitted to return
PHASE 6: August 10 – University opens for classes
PHASE 7: Competition (includes six weeks to practice/train)

 

Phases 1-3:

• All essential athletics staff and coaches required to wear masks (per UNC Asheville recommendations) when in common areas of the building. No in-person meetings. Essential athletics staff and coaches will be provided two masks and cleaning materials.
• During this phase, student-athletes will complete a pre-return survey for the Sports Medicine Team.

 

 

Phase 4:

• Student-athletes who reside in Asheville may voluntarily return to campus for injury rehabilitation and/or strength and conditioning training workouts. During this period, each student-athlete will be asked to complete a daily online health screening survey. Student-Athletes may be asked to quarantine for from seven to fourteen days. Temperatures will be taken before building entry. Student-Athletes will be asked to leave campus and report to student health if any symptoms or temperature are present.
• Strength Training and Sports Medicine procedures will be in place to meet and/or exceed university protocols.
• Student-Athletes, coaches, and athletics staff will be required to wear masks in all common areas. Awareness and proper social isolating practices should continue. Physical distancing measures should continue.
• The Sports Medicine Facility will only be available for student-athletes and medical personnel. Unless an emergency arises, no entry for Coaches and Staff during this time.
• The Olympic Weight Room will only be accessible on a scheduled basis. Based upon student-athlete request and/or reservation, our Head Strength and Conditioning Coach will develop an equitable and safe schedule.  Weight room will be sanitized and disinfected after use by each student-athlete. Team usage of this space will not be available during this time.

 

Phase 5:

• Student-athletes return to campus. During this Phase, each student-athlete will be asked to complete a daily online health screening survey. Temperatures will be taken before building entry. Student-Athletes will be asked to leave campus and report to student health if any symptoms or temperature are present.
• Sport-specific practice procedures will be in place to meet and/or exceed university protocols.
• Director of Sports Medicine will establish protocols for all student-athletes for the following locations:  Main Athletic Training Room (Justice Center), Auxiliary Athletic Training Room (Sherrill Center), and Satellite Athletic Training Room (Outdoor Track Building).
• Student-Athletes, coaches, and athletics staff will be required to wear masks in all common areas. Awareness and proper social isolating practices should continue. Physical distancing measures should continue.
• Student-athletes will be required to follow all building pathways and protocol. Groups of 10 or more should be avoided unless proper precautionary measures have been taken.
• Coaches will be required to conduct daily information/education sessions with their respective teams regarding the importance of social distancing, hygiene, and daily health screenings.

 

Phase 6:

• The Justice Center, Student Recreation Center, and Sherrill Center will be open to all student-athletes. Pathways, entry points, exits clearly marked with signage.
• Off-Campus sports (men’s and women’s tennis, women’s swimming and diving, and women’s golf) will follow protocols at on-site locations. Each off-campus location will be requested to provide their respective resocialization plans to the athletic department.

 

Phase 7:

• All competition will be dependent on NCAA and Big South Conference legislation.
• During this phase, sport specific plans for spectators will be in place to meet and/or exceed university expectations. Plans will be in place based on NCAA and Big South Conference legislation to include, no spectators, minimal spectators (pass list), and percentage based on facility size and recommended guidelines.

 

Related Link:
NCAA Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: Action Plan Considerations

For more information about the UNC Asheville Fall 2020 Plan and the UNC Asheville Athletics Resocialization Plan, please visit https://coronavirus.unca.edu/.