Michigan State Athletics Announces Plan For Student-Athletes To Return For Voluntary Workouts

MSU Health Care Information (PDF)

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EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State student-athletes will begin returning to campus on June 15 in preparation for voluntary summer workouts. Returning student-athletes from the football, men's and women's basketball and volleyball programs will be the first to undergo testing.

Michigan State's plan was developed following safety guidelines from the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and CDC guidelines as well as on-campus medical professionals, and guidelines provided by the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA.

"We are excited to welcome our student-athletes back to campus," Michigan State athletic director Bill Beekman said. "Our staff has put together a comprehensive plan with a clear priority on the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes. The strict protocols will allow our student-athletes to safely work out and begin to prepare for a return to competition."

"In implementing our plan we considered guidance from many experts," Assistant Vice President for Health Sciences/MSU Health Care Chief Clinical and Medical Officer/Interim Director of Athletic Medicine Dr. Anthony Avellino said. "Our only priority was the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes. Understanding that our knowledge surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, we will continue to monitor the latest medical and public health information available and make adjustments as warranted."

Returning student-athletes will report to the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center on June 15 for COVID-19 testing at a dedicated time depending on sport. Following testing, student-athletes will be instructed to self-isolate in their on- or off-campus housing for one week. Student-athletes who return a positive test will be quarantined for a period of 10 days. On June 22, student-athletes who initially tested negative will be given a second round of COVID-19 testing. Student-athletes who receive a negative test during the second round will be cleared to begin voluntary summer workouts under the supervision of strength and conditioning and athletic training staffs. Student-athletes will be split into small workout groups based on the individuals with whom they live.

Michigan State athletics staff who will interact with student-athletes will also undergo testing. This includes strength and conditioning, athletic training, equipment and facilities staff members, as well as coaches who plan to meet with their student-athletes.

Anyone entering the Smith Center/Skandalaris/Duffy Daugherty Football building will enter through a single door at the Smith Center. At this check-in point, entrants will undergo a health screen for COVID-19 symptoms and a temperature check. Arrows will direct individuals in a singular direction throughout the building. Men's and women's basketball and volleyball student-athletes will encounter the same singular point of entry and health screening process at the Breslin Center. Common areas such as locker rooms, team lounges and fueling stations will remain closed. Rehabilitation appointments with athletic training and medical staff will be by appointment only.

Student-athletes will be provided face masks and required to wear them at all times in the facilities except during their workouts. They will also receive a water bottle that they are to bring to each workout. Since locker rooms will be closed, student-athletes will arrive at their dedicated facility dressed for their workout. They will bring with them the dirty clothes from the previous day's workout, and as they leave the facility for the day they will receive a clean set of workout clothes for the next day's workout.

Additional policies and procedures have been implemented to ensure that all areas and equipment utilized by student-athletes are cleaned thoroughly after each workout group, including both surface sanitizing procedures and equipment misting. In addition, high-touch areas will be regularly monitored and cleaned. Education on COVID-19 symptoms and how to stop the virus' spread will be communicated as well as posted throughout the facilities.

Per NCAA rules, voluntary, on-campus athletically related activities are permissible. Strength and conditioning coaches and athletic trainers may be present. Coaches may not be involved in a student-athletes workout. Through June 30, virtual non-physical activities (e.g., team meetings, film review, chalk talk) are permissible in all sports up to eight hours per week with one day off.

Freshmen and newcomers for football, men's and women's basketball and volleyball are scheduled to return on June 29. Hockey student-athletes will return to campus to begin their testing on July 6. Additional sports will return at a later date.

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

Statement from Michigan State Athletics - Sept. 30
Michigan State conducted 178 COVID-19 PCR tests from September 22-28 on student-athletes and staff members. One hundred sixty-five (165) student-athletes were tested, with 11 testing positive. Thirteen staff members were tested, with no positive tests.

For the individuals who tested positive, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will continue while the individuals remain in isolation, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts.

Since the beginning of June, Michigan State Athletics has conducted nearly 2,500 COVID-19 PCR tests on student-athletes and staff members. There have been at least 2,112 tests on student-athletes, with 134 positive results. Since June 15, there have been more than 387 tests on staff members, at locations both on and off campus, with eight positive results.

Please note: Because student-athletes are tested through the university's clinical testing sites, the numbers above are included in MSU's COVID-19 dashboard.

Statement from MSU Athletics - Sept. 24

Michigan State conducted 369 COVID-19 PCR tests from September 15-21 on student-athletes and staff members. Three hundred twenty-eight (328) student-athletes were tested, with 30 testing positive. Forty-one staff members were tested, with two positive tests.

For the individuals who tested positive, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will continue while the individuals remain in isolation, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts.

Since the beginning of June, Michigan State Athletics has conducted more than 2,320 COVID-19 PCR tests on student-athletes and staff members. There have been at least 1,947 tests on student-athletes, with 123 positive results. Since June 15, there have been more than 374 tests on staff members, at locations both on and off campus, with eight positive results.

Please note: Because student-athletes are tested through the university's clinical testing sites, the numbers above are included in MSU's COVID-19 dashboard.

Statement from MSU Athletics - Sept. 8
Michigan State conducted 197 COVID-19 tests from August 29-September 6 on student-athletes and staff members. One hundred sixty-eight (168) student-athletes were tested, with 12 testing positive. Twenty-nine staff members were tested, with no positive results.

For the individuals who tested positive, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will continue while the individuals remain in isolation, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts.

Since the beginning of June, Michigan State Athletics has conducted more than 1,550 COVID-19 tests on student-athletes and staff members. There have been more than 1,240 tests on student-athletes, with 48 positive results. Since June 15, there have been more than 300 tests on staff members, at locations both on and off campus, with five positive results.

Statement from MSU Athletics - Aug. 31
Michigan State conducted 206 COVID-19 tests during the week of August 24-28 on student-athletes and staff members. One hundred seventy six (176) student-athletes were tested, with two testing positive. Thirty staff members were tested, with no positive results.

For the individuals who tested positive, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will continue while the individuals remain in isolation, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts.

Since the beginning of June, Michigan State Athletics has conducted more than 1,350 COVID-19 tests on student-athletes and staff members. There have been more than 1,070 tests on student-athletes, with 36 positive results. Since June 15, there have been more than 280 tests on staff members, at locations both on and off campus, with five positive results.

Statement from MSU Athletics - Aug. 25
Michigan State conducted more than 100 COVID-19 tests during the week of August 17-21 on student-athletes and staff members. Eighty-nine student-athletes were tested, with three testing positive. Sixteen staff members were tested, with no positive results.

For the individuals who tested positive, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will continue while the individuals remain in isolation, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts.

Since the beginning of June, Michigan State Athletics has conducted more than 1,100 COVID-19 tests on student-athletes and staff members. There have been more than 890 tests on student-athletes, with 34 positive results. (This number includes two individuals who initially tested positive off campus, and were positive when retested on campus. Only one of these two student-athletes had previously been included in the number of total positive cases.) Since June 15, there have been more than 250 tests on staff members, at locations both on and off campus, with five positive results.

Statement from MSU Athletics - Aug. 18
Michigan State conducted more than 250 COVID-19 tests from August 7-14 on student-athletes, coaches and staff. All results were negative.

Since the beginning of June, Michigan State Athletics has conducted more than 1,000 COVID-19 tests on student-athletes and staff members. There have been more than 800 tests on student-athletes, with 30 positive results. Since June 15, there have been more than 235 tests on staff members, at locations both on and off campus, with five positive results.

Statement from Big Ten Conference and MSU Athletics - Aug. 11
The Big Ten Conference announced the postponement of the 2020-21 fall sports season, including all regular-season contests and Big Ten Championships and Tournaments, due to ongoing health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In making its decision, which was based on multiple factors, the Big Ten Conference relied on the medical advice and counsel of the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee.

"Our primary responsibility is to make the best possible decisions in the interest of our students, faculty and staff," said Morton Schapiro, Chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors and Northwestern University President.

"The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward," said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren. "As time progressed and after hours of discussion with our Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee, it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall.

"We know how significant the student-athlete experience can be in shaping the future of the talented young women and men who compete in the Big Ten Conference. Although that knowledge made this a painstaking decision, it did not make it difficult. While I know our decision today will be disappointing in many ways for our thousands of student-athletes and their families, I am heartened and inspired by their resilience, their insightful and discerning thoughts, and their participation through our conversations to this point. Everyone associated with the Big Ten Conference and its member institutions is committed to getting everyone back to competition as soon as it is safe to do so."

The fall sports included in this announcement are men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's and women's soccer, and women's volleyball. The Big Ten Conference will continue to evaluate a number of options regarding these sports, including the possibility of competition in the spring. Decisions regarding winter and spring sports will also continue to be evaluated.

The Big Ten Conference is proud of its 14 world-class research institutions and has leveraged their resources and expertise to address this pandemic over the past five months. The Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee have engaged in extensive research and sharing of materials and conversations with federal, state and local government agencies, and professional and international sports organizations in order to track and better understand the daily updates surrounding this pandemic. Their advice and counsel have been invaluable as they have worked tirelessly over the past several months in their efforts to create and maintain a safe environment for athletics.

The Big Ten Conference will continue to work with medical experts and governmental authorities to gather additional information, evaluate emerging data and technologies, and monitor developments regarding the pandemic to make the best decisions possible for the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes.

Statement from Michigan State University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D.
"I know how disappointed the whole Spartan community is over the cancellation of fall sports. We have amazing student-athletes and fans at Michigan State University and this news is hard for many people. But safety remains our top priority, and we are still focused on creating a safe environment in which our university's mission can continue. We are committed to ensuring our students have a successful academic year.

"We will continue to work with the Big Ten Conference as we look for opportunities for athletics to resume in the future. Collectively, we need to take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and others and follow the guidance of our health and medical experts to protect the mental and physical health of our student-athletes.

"I appreciate all the hard work so many people have put into these past several months. We have multiple factors that we are considering and evaluating, including the feedback we have received from some of our student-athletes about their safety and well-being. This open dialogue will continue."

Statement from Michigan State Athletic Director Bill Beekman
"The decision to postpone the fall season is heartbreaking. Our student-athletes have put in tireless hours of hard work to earn their scholarships and their places on our teams. They are what inspire every one of us who work in intercollegiate athletics. We understand that today's news will be devastating for many of them. As an athletic department our goal is to provide opportunities for student-athletes both academically, athletically and socially. Sadly, the time has come where we must postpone those athletic opportunities, at least for the fall.

"We appreciate the hard work put in by the university medical team and athletic training staff over the last few months. They've worked without ceasing to develop and implement a Return to Campus plan that provided an opportunity to play sports, but with never losing focus on our first priority: the health and safety of our student-athletes. The care of our student-athletes since their arrival has been exceptional.

"We tried to be in a place where we could play intercollegiate athletics, and at the time we announced our Return to Campus plan and welcomed student-athletes back on campus in June, things were trending in the right direction. However, it's become clear that we are simply not in a position to move forward.

"Over the next few months, we will continue to support the academic and social development of our student-athletes, and to whatever extent is possible, also their athletic training, while continuing to place a priority on their physical and mental health. This is a sad day in the history of Michigan State and Big Ten athletics, but we are resolute that we will continue to move forward and prepare for when we can safely return to competition."

Statement from Michigan State Football Coach Mel Tucker
"From the beginning of this public health crisis there have been many unknowns for college football, thus it was important for me to listen and follow our medical staff and medical experts' protocols for our workouts, practices and playing.

"The uncertainties caused by COVID-19 have created enormous stress for our players and their families and I am proud of their resilience. Our coaches and staff will continue to support their drive, dreams and decisions.

"While the conclusion to postpone the season is not easy for anyone, based on the medical recommendations, I respect the decision of the Big Ten Conference.

"When the medical experts tell us that we can get back to business, we'll be ready. Until then, stay safe and Go Green."

Statement from Michigan State Athletics – Aug. 3
Michigan State conducted COVID-19 testing on 127 student-athletes July 30-31. Seven student-athletes tested positive.

In addition, 50 staff members were tested during the same time period and all were negative.

All seven student-athletes who tested positive were individuals in quarantine. For the individuals who tested positive, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will continue while the individuals remain in isolation, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts.

Members of the football team are currently quarantining or isolating, while awaiting completion of a requested 14-day quarantine that began on July 22 and runs through Aug. 4.

Since the beginning of June, Michigan State Athletics has conducted more than 800 COVID-19 tests on student-athletes and staff members. There have been a total of 651 tests on student-athletes, with 30 positive results. Since June 15, there have been more than 150 tests on staff members, at locations both on and off campus, with five positive results.

Statement from Michigan State Athletics - July 27
Michigan State conducted COVID-19 testing on 122 student-athletes the week of July 20-24. Among those testing last week, 16 student-athletes tested positive.

In addition, four athletic department staff members tested positive for COVID-19 last week (July 18-24); staff members were tested both on campus and at off-campus locations.

The two staff members and one student-athlete that tested positive for COVID-19, as previously announced, are included in these overall testing numbers from last week.

All members of the football team are currently in isolation or quarantine, while awaiting completion of a requested 14-day quarantine that began on July 22. As part of the athletic department's return to campus policy, student-athletes have been asked to quarantine when coming into close contact with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19. The university has designated areas available to house individuals in quarantine as needed based upon the living arrangements for student-athletes.

For the individuals who tested positive, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will continue while the individuals remain in isolation, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts.

The Ingham County Health Department will continue to conduct further contact tracing.

Surveillance testing of football student-athletes will be repeated prior to their clearance to return to workouts; the earliest possible return is Aug. 4 based on the 14-day quarantine.

Since the beginning of June, Michigan State Athletics has conducted more than 600 COVID-19 tests on student-athletes and staff members. There have been a total of 524 tests on student-athletes, with 23 positive results. Since June 15, there have been more than 100 tests on staff members, at locations both on and off campus, with five positive results. Per MSU Athletics policy, student-athletes were required to receive two negative test results before getting cleared to take part in workouts.

Statement from Michigan State Athletics - July 24

Based on early results from COVID-19 testing conducted over the last week on football staff and student-athletes, which included a second staff member and one student-athlete testing positive on Thursday, all members of the football team will quarantine or isolate, while awaiting completion of a 14-day quarantine. As part of the athletic department's return to campus policy, student-athletes quarantine when coming into close contact with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19. The university has designated areas available to house individuals in quarantine as needed based upon the living arrangements for student-athletes. Surveillance testing of student-athletes was completed on Wednesday, July 22 as previously planned, and will be repeated prior to their clearance to return to workouts.

Statement from Michigan State Athletics - July 22
As Michigan State football prepared for the beginning of the 20-hour week (July 24), during which student-athletes and staff would be in larger groups than they had been during voluntary workouts or the eight-hour weeks, it conducted surveillance COVID-19 testing on all staff members over the weekend, and previously scheduled surveillance COVID-19 testing on student-athletes Wednesday afternoon. Late Wednesday afternoon, after testing on student-athletes had been completed, one staff member received a positive result. Michigan State football will pause workouts and will not begin its 20-hour weeks until it receives the complete results from all surveillance testing.

Statement from MSU Athletics - July 17
Since the beginning of June, Michigan State athletics has conducted more than 500 COVID-19 tests. In total, there have been eight positive tests. There have been a total of 402 tests on student-athletes, with seven positive results. Since June 15, there have been 104 tests on staff members, with one positive result. Prior to student-athletes returning to campus, an additional 15-20 members of MSU's medical and athletic training staff were tested in order to prepare for the student-athletes. All of those tests were negative.

Michigan State conducted COVID-19 testing on 38 student-athletes on July 13. Three student-athletes tested positive. None of the three individuals had taken part in workouts in the last two weeks. One individual had been quarantined, one had been in isolation and another was receiving their first test. Based on living arrangements, three additional student-athletes will be required to quarantine for 14 days as they are roommates of the positive individuals.

For the individuals who tested positive, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will continue while the individuals remain in isolation, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts.

Student-athletes who received a second negative test were cleared to take part in workouts.

Twenty-seven athletic department staff members were tested on July 13. One individual tested positive. The staff member does not work with the sport programs already back on campus and had no exposure to student-athletes.

Statement from MSU Athletics - July 13
Michigan State conducted COVID-19 testing on 74 student-athletes on July 6. All test results were negative.

Some of the individuals being tested were newcomers and freshmen student-athletes being tested for the second time. Those receiving a second negative test result were cleared to take part in workouts. For individuals being tested for the first time, a second negative test result will be required this week before being cleared to take part in workouts.

No athletic department staff members tested positive during July 6 testing.

Statement from MSU Athletics - July 2
Michigan State conducted COVID-19 testing on 41 student-athletes on June 29. One student-athlete who had previously tested positive was tested again on June 29 and returned another positive result. All other results were negative.

For the individual who tested positive, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will continue while the individual remains in isolation, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts.

Many of the individuals being tested were newcomers and student-athletes being tested for the first time. A second negative test result will be required next week before being cleared to take part in voluntary workouts.

No athletic department staff members tested positive during Monday's testing.

Statement From MSU Athletics - June 25
Michigan State conducted a second round of COVID-19 testing on 114 student-athletes on June 22. The number of tested student-athletes does not include the individual who tested positive on June 15, three quarantined roommates of that individual, and individuals who arrived on campus the week of June 8 to begin rehab and had an initial test at that time, in effect making their June 15 test their second negative result.

Individuals who tested negative twice are now permitted to take part in voluntary workouts. For workouts, student-athletes will be split into small groups based on the individuals with whom they live.

Two student-athletes tested positive on June 22 and will be isolated for a period of 10-14 days. Housing will be arranged based on prior living arrangements and need for isolation if living with others. During this time, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will be conducted, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts. Additionally, one student-athlete will be required to quarantine for 14 days after initial contact tracing revealed close contact with an individual who tested positive. The Ingham County Health Department will continue to conduct further contact tracing.

No athletic department staff members tested positive during Monday's testing.

Statement From MSU Athletics - June 18
Michigan State conducted testing for COVID-19 on 124 student-athletes on Monday, June 15. One student-athlete tested positive and will be isolated for a period of 10-14 days. Housing will be arranged based on prior living arrangements and need for isolation if living with others. During this time, daily check-ins with athletic training staff will be conducted, with additional services provided as directed by the medical and administrative staffs. Further testing and physician follow-up will be required prior to returning to any level of workouts.

Student-athletes who tested negative will undergo a second round of testing on June 22. A second negative test result is required before being cleared to take part in voluntary workouts.

No athletic department staff members tested positive during Monday's testing.

Additionally, one student-athlete did not report to campus after testing positive at home last week. The student-athlete is currently recuperating, with the support of family, while at home and will return to campus once fully recovered.

Michigan State Athletics Announces Plan For Student-Athletes To Return For Voluntary Workouts

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