Penn State has administered nearly 200 COVID-19 tests to its student athletes during a gradual return to campus dating back to June 8. According to a press release released by the university on Wednesday afternoon, zero tests have produced a positive result.
These data are based on 178 COVID-19 tests conducted among student athletes until July 10. Penn State noted that there are 31 pending tests.
On July 1, Penn State Athletic Director Sandy Barbour explained that the university intended to provide updated test results every other Wednesday. Two weeks ago, she reported a total of 102 tests, distributed among players representing programs such as soccer,. men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball.
“We continue to analyze science, to analyze the conditions around us,” Barbour said then. “… Understanding that we are also going to need to take a few different approaches to competition and student athlete travel when we get to that point.”
It remains uncertain whether some student athletes will choose not to return to campus due to the current situation. Barbour made a point to indicate that such decisions will not be penalized by the university, as it seeks to prioritize the “comfort” of those on the team rosters.
“This is about your health and safety, and one element of your health and safety is comfort,” he said. “We have indicated, at every step, that it is their decision … Their scholarship is not in jeopardy at all. We will work with them on that.”
Barbour explained that anyone who tests positive will be immediately isolated and receive contact-tracking questions. The university medical team will work closely with the state medical department in such circumstances.
Efforts to save the fall 2020 soccer season have been front and center in college athletics talks this summer. Sports The importance of college admissions across the United States is no secret, and, like Penn State, efforts to reestablish presence on campus have been underway for more than a month. The Nittany Lions began voluntary training on June 15.
Since then, pessimism has grown regarding the feasibility of a full season, and last week the Big Ten became the first Power Five conference to eliminate clashes outside of the conference. In the process, Penn State went from three scheduled opponents: Kent State (September 5), Virginia Tech (September 12), and San Jose State (September 19).
Northwestern (Sept. 26) is now the first opponent on the roster this fall, but it remains to be seen how the Big Ten attempt to restructure the team’s schedules. There are also no formal answers about the possible capacity of Beaver Stadium, although in a June letter obtained by 247Sports ancient men were told they should expect a “Drastically different” environment with attendance “dramatically lowered … for security reasons.”
At the local level, the impact of Penn State soccer on its surrounding community is undeniable. Annually on Saturdays in the fall, they play a key financial role in every industry, creating a level of economic dependency that is now surprisingly at stake with two home fighting already eliminated.
“I hope that you start with what is right to do for people’s health and then also consider their financial aspect,” Franklin said in May. “Because we are not going to get to a point where there is no risk. At some point we will have to jump again and there will be some risk associated with that.”
But I hope, once again, it is no different than what I tell my players: every decision we make is based on what is best for the show, and then what is best for the individual. And I hope that in this situation, it is based on what is best for the health of our country and our people, number one. And then the economy must also take into account. But in that order. “
A 29-day preseason soccer practice period will begin on August 7.
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