Pac-12 CEO Group agrees to move forward with fall sports

Finally reconvening on Thursday to vote on the resumption of Fall Sports, the Pac-12 CEO Group has announced that Football will begin November 6.

According to the Pac-12 press release, on Thursday, the Pac-12 CEO Group announced (based upon updated Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee recommendations) to resume Fall and Winter sports such as football, basketball and volleyball.

The CEO Group pointed to the following for their reasoning:

“Material changes” to testing capabilities

The prevalence of COVID-19 and cardiac issues, along with updated state and local health official guidance

Arizona Wildcats

There is a caveat though, as the football season can only start for programs that have “the necessary state and local health approvals on November 6.” As for men’s and women’s basketball, the date of resumption hasn’t changed, as it is still November 25, which is in line with the NCAA’s official start date.

As you may recall, the Pac-12 CEO Group met last week where they received an update from the COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee on their health and safety recommendations. The Pac-12 CEO Group reviewed all the details on the “Rollout of the previously announced Quidel daily rapid-results testing program.”

Universities who are already utilizing a daily antigen test strategy will have to add “At least one weekly PCR test” for each student-athlete. Add to that, the confirmation of all positive tests with a PCR test. These testing guidelines will not be set in stone as all “Testing recommendations will be reviewed and updated as needed on an ongoing basis.”

The former decision for halting the winter sports seasons on August 11 by the Pac-12 CEO Group was based upon “three central concerns cited by the Medical Advisory Committee”:

• Consistent testing capabilities across all Pac-12 universities
• The prevalence of the virus in Pac-12 communities and nationally
• Concerns related to possible cardiac concerns potentially associated with COVID-19

The CEO Group agreed that the Medical Advisory Committee recommendations were materially better in each of the areas listed above. In addition, the state and local public healthy guidelines were updated and will probably keep changing in the future.

However, there will be two new changes for Pac-12 programs:

• Pac-12 sports medicine group will be implementing cardiac monitoring protocols for all student-athletes with a positive test.
• Pac-12 institutions are also participating in a national COVID-19 cardiac registry which will allow for medical practitioners to monitor closely, and gain greater insight into, potential health outcomes in student-athletes.
• No fans will be permitted at any sporting competition taking place on Pac-12 campuses (This will be revisited as things change with regards to health and safety in January 2021)

The CEO Group expressed a “strong preference” to start in the fall and it was unanimous to proceed with that schedule. The Pac-12 schools need money to stay afloat and are in desperate need for funds.

Larry Scotts comments include the following:

• “From the beginning of this crisis, our focus has been on following the science, data and counsel of our public health and infectious disease experts. Our agreement with Quidel to provide daily rapid-results testing has been a game-changer in enabling us to move forward with confidence that we can create a safe environment for our student-athletes while giving them the opportunity to pursue their dreams. At the same time, we will continue to monitor health conditions and data and be ready to adjust as required in the name of the health of all.”
• “Money has not been a huge driver.” Via Wildcaster

It looks like Arizona teams may be ahead of other teams in the Pac-12 because they have the necessary public health approvals and can “commence practice immediately with a seven game Conference-only season to begin on November 6.” The Pac-12 Championship Game is currently scheduled for December 18, and that means that the Pac-12 teams (or Oregon) can be considered for selection by the CFP.

The Pac-12 advised that the football schedule as well as the basketball schedules will be released shortly. The other Winter sports schedules will be released for those sports at a later date. Both Arizona Basketball head coaches Adia Barnes and Sean Miller agreed with the decision and are excited to start the season.

Some fans were hoping the football season would not commence, as so many seasoned players were lost to the transfer portal or graduation. Not expecting much, but hope some highlights will bring a smile to our faces.