COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group Previews Guidelines for Basketball
On behalf of the newly established NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group, NCAA chief medical officer Brian Hainline held the first joint meeting with conference representatives earlier today. Hainline presented the most recent draft of the pending Basketball Guidelines, which were developed in consultation with the Advisory Group.
The COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group was established to further utilize the expertise on university campuses across the country and ensure close communication with membership.
Today’s joint meeting with conference representatives was the first in a series of biweekly discussions on preparations for regular season competition and championships amid COVID-19. Topics focused on basketball and included updates on testing, travel considerations, and access to the court and bench areas. Of note, the new Basketball Guidelines suggest three times per week testing on non-consecutive days throughout the season, including for officials. The Advisory Group also discussed travel considerations and the logistics of appropriately distancing Tier 1 individuals (student-athletes and essential personnel who are in regular proximity to them) from other essential personnel during games.
The COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group is not a policymaking body but rather will provide guidance to the entire NCAA membership. For example, it will not make decisions regarding competition dates, end-of-season issues or the number of contests/weeks in regular season.
It will provide guidance so that appropriate membership and governance committees can make informed decisions regarding these matters. The group will continue to provide protocols for health and safety in a manner consistent with Resocialization of Collegiate Sport documents.
This email was sent to NCAA Divisions I, II and III Athletics Health Care Administrators, Conference Commissioners, Directors of Athletics, Directors of Compliance, Faculty Athletics Representatives, Head Athletic Trainers, Head Coaches, Head Team Physicians, Presidents and Chancellors, Senior Woman Administrators, Sports Information Directors, and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members based on contact information in the NCAA Directory; and to select NCAA staff.
