Temple student-athletes voluntary return to campus

Written/Photo by: Sam Cohn

As of Monday, June 22, Temple student-athletes will be allowed to return to campus for voluntary workouts, per a release from the Temple athletics department.

Monday will be the first step of a phased return amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, anticipating a full return by the start of the fall semester.

“As we developed our plans for a return to participation, we made the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes and staff the top priority,” Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft said in a statement Friday. “Executive Senior Associate AD/SWA Jessica Reo and her committee have worked closely with our medical team, strength and conditioning staff and facilities personnel to ensure that all is in pace to safeguard our young men and women.”

Kraft, who announced his resignation as Temple’s athletic director on June 3, will officially take over as Boston College’s AD on July 1. He agreed to help his successor, interim AD and former Temple basketball head coach Fran Dunphy until that date.

Temple athletics has diligently prepared its facilities and taken measures to ensure proper health protocols are in place, according to the release. The only staff present will be staff essential to the safety of student-athletes. That will likely include strength and conditioning staff members and athletic trainers.

Monday’s return will mainly feature Temple football players. There are expected to be anywhere from 30-40 players in the first wave.

Here are a few of the guidelines in place for returning student-athletes to campus:

• All social distancing guidelines will be taken into consideration and followed
• An initial screening process for each student-athlete prior to beginning voluntary activities that includes COVID-19 testing
• All social distancing guidelines will be taken into consideration and followed
• Daily student-athlete and staff screening prior to entering a facility as well as the utilization of the app, HealthyRoster, for health monitoring
•  Providing personal protective equipment for medical staff and setting rules for when masks must be worn by student-athletes and athletics staff
• Establishment of single entry and exit procedures and the minimization of facility use by relocating strength and conditioning facilities outside
• Tents will be set up at Edberg Olson Football Complex to provide cover for strength and conditioning equipment as well as for medical and athletic training needs
• Air circulating fans will be in place inside the tents.
• Adherence to state health guidelines with groups of no more than 25 working out during Pennsylvania’s yellow phase (see state guidelines).