LSU AD outlines possible timeline for bringing football players back to campus
With the sports world on hiatus due to the outbreak of COVID-19, everyone is keying in on whether or not fall college sports will happen. Most SEC schools have announced that they will hold on-campus classes this fall, which is step one in allowing fall sports to happen.
While speaking during a virtual TAF Coaches Caravan, LSU athletic director Scott Woodward outlined a potential timeline for student-athletes returning to campus.
“We were the first ones to get our staff back in football,” Woodward said, via The Advocate’s Scott Rabalais. “We’re getting ready for Phase II, which is to get our student-athletes back.
“I see some time in June our student-athletes getting back to campus and us being able to take care of them better at home.”
Obviously, this will differ by state, but assuming most SEC states are like Louisiana, getting student-athletes back on campus in June could mean a push to start the season on time. The season could also be delayed to ensure athletes are in shape enough to play a full season.
Woodward also commented on the season’s potential start time and fans attending games.
Woodward: We are planning and doing everything in our control to play Labor Day weekend. But, things could change. There could be a million scenarios, but our plan is to play 12 games and get it going. #LSU
— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) May 13, 2020
Woodward: When are we going to get butts in the seats? I don’t know the answer to that. We’re going to have to do this in a proper and smart way. We’re looking at all the scenarios to get fans back in the stands in a safe and proper fashion. #LSU
— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) May 13, 2020
More good news.
The staff is already at the facility doing what they can. Getting the players on campus would be huge. Even if not allowed to officially practice, the guys will he able to work out on their own. That’s big for the passing game.
Bring everyone back and as soon as a player from Utah St or Minnesota, or Michigan tests positive for Covid-19, the entire season will be shut down immediately. I hope I’m wrong. My plans to see My Buffs open a can of @$$ whoopin on A&M in College Station were ruined, so no I’m not happy. But I wouldn’t be at risk like those players will be..JMO
A kid at Michigan won’t have any impact at all on the SEC. His case will impact Michigan and possibly a future opponent. If teams are playing, they would have to have access to the rapid tests. If a Saturday morning positive happens, that will be an issue for those two opponents. The rest of the country will play on as long as everyone is negative.
Really? Then why did all sports cancel, when only a few players from the NBA test positive? You make a rediculous remark..”A few players from one school test positive and the rest of the season will continue on.” Pure nonsense.
But let me guess..If a kid from the “all mighty SEC test positive, the rest of the schools will have to shut down. Can’t have a football season without the SEC!! Get a grip..Lol
Sluva I didn’t know that was a done deal – I thought it was one of several propositions and that they are making the decision several weeks from now?
I think now is as good a time as any for the NCAA to figure out how to work the scenario of not having kids on campus but continuing with sports. This won’t be the last pandemic we see…
Not a done deal (Yet), but they are pushing very hard and it looks as though, they will play Russian Roulette with the season starting in August. My gut feeling is, they will track noninfected parts of the country and have teams play there. You could end up having an every week Wednesday thru Sunday season with games being played at 11am and another at 8pm at the same venue. I doubt if any games are played on Campus. Only severe problem is, this will surely interfere with the NFL.