LAFAYETTE — UL Athletics will begin a "phased process" of reopening their facilities, the department announced today. These steps are in conjunction with guidance from the University, state and national authorities.
"Our number one priority is the health and safety of our student-athletes and staff,” Cajuns Athletic Director Dr. Bryan Maggard said. “This process of determining and implementing proper protocols to follow as we reopen our facilities to voluntary workouts has been made possible with collaboration between university leadership, team physicians, and local and state authorities. These protocols will allow our student-athletes and coaches to prepare for the upcoming sports seasons in an environment that prioritizes safety."
The first phase of reopening will allow football to return to the facilities for voluntary workouts on Monday, June 8th. Men's and Women's Basketball, Cross Country, Volleyball and Soccer will be allowed back for voluntary workouts on July 1st. Then on July 3rd, Baseball, softball, golf, men's and women's tennis & men's and women's golf will be allowed.
“Our team obtained the most current information available regarding COVID-19 to guide the development of guidelines and procedures that will provide a safer environment for our student-athletes and staff,” Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Medicine Travis Soileau said. “These procedures were developed to not only ensure the health and safety of our sport programs, but also to mitigate possible outbreaks that could potentially jeopardize the future of our athletics competition.”
This is the full overview of health and safety measures for upcoming voluntary team activities, that the department released today:
- Beginning Monday, June 8, voluntary football workouts will resume.
- Beginning Wednesday, July 1, the following sport programs may start voluntary workouts: men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, soccer and volleyball.
- Beginning Monday, Aug. 3, voluntary workouts will be allowable for: baseball, golf, softball, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s track and field.
- Approved student-athletes and staff will be screened daily before entering team facilities.
- Daily screening will include a physical evaluation questionnaire and temperature check. Any student-athlete or staff member showing symptoms will be referred to team physicians for testing.
- Individuals who are not cleared during the daily screening process will be evaluated further by sports medicine staff, and if necessary, referred to team physicians for testing.
- Only one entrance will be utilized for each facility in the sports park, all others will be locked.
- No visitors will be allowed to team facilities; only student-athletes, coaches and select support staff.
- Masks, which will be provided to student-athletes and staff, must be worn to enter all facilities and when occupying common areas.
- Masks may only be removed when staff members are alone in personal office space.
- Complying with state and University guidelines, an occupancy rate of 25 percent of the maximum capacity will be enforced in all areas, with occupancy details provided by the University’s Facility Management Office serving as guidance.
- With occupancy limitations in mind, all locker room access will be suspended during the summer.
- Student-athletes will be instructed to arrive to team facilities dressed and ready to participate in voluntary workouts.
- Hand sanitizer will be available before entering areas of the facilities, and the washing of hands after using areas will be encouraged.
- Guidelines for all student-athletes and staff entering team facilities include: avoiding close contact, washing hands often, covering face when coughing or sneezing and disinfecting common items.