SPORTS

NCAA’s Top Doctor: COVID-19 Testing Needs To Improve To Play

Aug 16, 2020, 3:06 PM

NCAA - Dr. Brian Hainline...

The 2013 NCAA Photos via Getty Images Convention at the the Gaylord Texan Hotel in Grapevine, TX, Friday, January 18, 2013. (Peter Lockley/NCAA Photos via Getty Images).Pictured: Dr. Brian Hainline

(Peter Lockley/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

AP – The NCAA’s chief medical officer says there is a narrow path to playing college sports during the coronavirus pandemic and if testing nationwide does not improve, it cannot be done.

Dr. Brian Hainline told CNN late Saturday that “everything would have to line up perfectly” for college sports to be played this fall. Much of the fall college sports season has been canceled, with conferences hoping to make up competitions, including football, in the spring.

But not everyone has accepted those decisions.

On Sunday morning, Big Ten football players continued to push the conference to overturn its cancellation of the fall season. Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth and other players posted on Twitter an online petition requesting the Big Ten reinstate the schedule the conference released six days before it pulled the plug.

Player parent groups from Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State and Nebraska have sent letters to Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren asking for the conference to reverse course and seeking more transparency into the decision.

The NCAA has no jurisdiction over major college football, so the conferences have been left to make their own calls. At the highest level of college football, four conferences — including the Big Ten and Pac-12 — have postponed fall sports and are hoping to make them up in some fashion in the spring.

Six leagues, including the Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeastern Conference and Big 12, are moving forward with plans to play in the fall.

Hainline told CNN that how colleges and universities handled the reopening of campuses to students will be crucial in determining when fall sports can be played. Athletes have been on campus for nearly two months in some cases preparing for their seasons and being regularly tested for COVID-19.

Testing of athletes will need to increase when competition begins. Recent breakthroughs in saliva testing could provide faster results and more access to testing for everyone, but just how much remains to be seen. The availability and turnaround times of COVID-19 tests is still a problem in parts of the country.

“Right now, if testing stays at it is, there’s no way we can go forward with sports,” Hainline told CNN.

He added: “We’re not in a place today where we could safely play sports.”

Sports

Devaughn Vele #17 of the Denver Broncos...

Brian Preece

Broncos Send Former Utah WR To Saints For Draft Pick Compensation

The Denver Broncos are reportedly sending second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints for draft pick compensation. 

11 hours ago

Connor Ingram #39 of the Utah...

Brian Preece

Utah Mammoth Goaltender Clears NHLPA Assistance Program, Can Return To NHL

Weeks before the beginning of training camp, Utah Mammoth Connor Ingram has been cleared to rejoin the NHL. 

12 hours ago

Eric Weddle #20 Gaige Weddle...

Brian Preece

Son Of Utah Football Great Named Top Athlete In 2028 Class

Gaige Weddle, the son of Super Bowl champion and former Utah Utes safety Eric Weddle, is the No. 1 athlete in the class of 2028 according to Rivals.

12 hours ago

Elijah Davis #9 of the Utah Utes...

Brian Preece

Utah’s Elijah Davis Primed To Be ‘One Of The Best Corners In The Big 12’

Utah Utes redshirt freshman cornerback Elijah Davis is in line to play a significant role in the middle of defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley's secondary.

16 hours ago

Rice-Eccles Stadium Big 12 logo Utah Utes ESPN Top 100...

Brian Preece

Utah Football Star Ranks High On List Of Top 100 College Football Players

The 2025 ESPN Top 100 college football players list is out, and two Utah Utes made the cut.

16 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Utah High School Football 2025 Streaming Guide: Week 2

Here are this week’s Utah high school football live streams.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 11

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 10

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 9

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 8

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

Page was generated in 0.36062788963318