There remain lots of question marks about the collegiate football season during a time of surging coronavirus cases in many states. The Ohio Valley Conference was scheduled to have its media day for football this past Monday. Instead, the OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche fielded questions about possibilities for football.
She began the conference call by reiterating a position offered earlier this summer. “Back in June our OVC Board of Presidents issued a statement, saying it was the intention of this conference to play sports and to have championships this fall, if the medical science supported it. Well, that certainly is our plan, nothing has changed since that point in time,” said DeBauche.
DeBauche said what comprises a season is far from final, if the decision is made to move forward with OVC football. The commissioner indicated a shortened season is certainly possible.
The commissioner was asked about schools’ reporting responsibility for positive COVID-19 cases. Although she said it’s up to each individual school and local health authorities, when it comes to competing, DeBauche said every athlete will be tested and screened through the process. “The focus of our membership through all the discussion has been to make sure that when a student athlete from one OVC institution steps off the bus to play another opponent within this league they can feel confident they’ve been held to the same standards,” noted DeBauche.
Eastern Kentucky University has reported positive cases involving six individuals in athletics in early July and another ten this past weekend. EKU is currently scheduled to open its season September third at home against Western Carolina.?
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