Last Friday, the NCAA issued its second edition of its “Resocialization of College Sport” document. It is noteworthy for several reasons and I'll copy and paste some of my "In the (D3FB) Huddle" partner and co-host, Frank Rossi's takes on it below:
1) Prior mandates (including opt-out rights, eligibility accommodations, and ban on liability waivers) are stated to “remain in place,” but the requirements are stated to have expired on 10/27/2020. It is unclear which is correct.
2) Myocarditis (inflamed heart tissue) risks are only briefly mentioned as “cardiac & exercise considerations for resumption of exercise...” w/ recommendation for screening being only “a tiered approach” based on symptom severity, not universal despite Big 10 suggestions.
3) A wider embrace of Point-of-Care testing is seen, but due to 2% potential of missing positives & its lower price, higher test frequency is recommended if that route is chosen. Antibody testing is not embraced, and non-rapid PCR testing is still preferred.
4) Retesting of prior-positive individuals may be avoided for 150 days to avoid false positives while immunity continues unless symptoms are encountered after the 90th day.
5) Sports & individuals around those sports are now categorized by “sport transmission risk” (low, intermediate, high) and testing strategy tiers (Tier 1, 2, & 3, 1 being highest exposure with a bigger need for aggressive testing strategy).
6) Tier 1 athletes (including MBB/WBB & FB) should be tested 1x weekly (72 hours before) by PCR testing (3x weekly by rapid PCR testing) if an outdoor sport, or 3x weekly for indoor sports unless universal masking, etc., occurs in program.
7) For sports with multiple weekly games that are either back to back or separated by a day, testing should be regular PCR within 3 days of Game 2, and rapid PCR the day of each game.
Ultimately, it is Frank's opinion (and I agree) that "the NCAA needs to alleviate the confusion concerning the expiration of the original mandates". Unfortunately the above, especially the testing costs will make it extremely difficult for D3 sports to take place for the remainder of the 2020-21 academic year, and could possibly impact the fall 2021 season also.
That said, I'm not optimistic for spring D3FB (conferences such as the HCAC, OAC and ASC may be exceptions), but I do think schools will be able to produce some padded practices and/or single scrimmages at least. Frank expands on the above in a recent radio appearance if you care to tune in and listen to it.
I'll have some more Hobart-related content in the near future. Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart!
