UNC Asheville Releases Updated Resocialization Plan for Spring Athletics

UNC Asheville Athletics Spring 2021
Resocialization of Bulldog Athletics Plan - Revised December 8, 2020

Version 1
This plan is designed to support the University's Plan to open for in-person academic and co-curricular work for the spring 2021 semester. UNC System, University, NCAA, Big South Conference, and America College Health Association health and safety guidelines, best practices, and protocols will be followed without exception. This plan covers the following topics: prior and return to campus following the holiday break, return to practice and home competition, travel during competition, response to infection or presumed infection, and testing protocols. The issues surrounding the pandemic continue to evolve, and this spring plan will continue to be updated. UNC Asheville Athletics will closely monitor local, state and national developments and update our standards and safety protocols, as needed. The safety of all Bulldog student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff will always be the top priority.

Over the holiday break and throughout the spring semester, all athletics staff, coaches, and student-athletes will be educated via email and Zoom regarding updated health, safety, building protocols and provided additional informative and educational materials to help ensure a safe return to campus. Basic Covid-19 protocol will be expected of all athletics staff, coaches, and student-athletes returning to campus to include wearing a mask, washing hands frequently and social distancing and testing when mandated.

Athletics COVID-19 Action Team:
Director of Athletics: Janet R. Cone
Sr. Associate Athletics Director: Terri Brne
Associate Athletics Director: David Jandrew
Director of Sports Medicine: Tim White
Team Physician: Dr. Hales
Head Coach Representative: Ericka Schneider
Head Strength Coach: Cameron Clark
Student Health: Dr. McKay
Student Counseling: Jay Cutspec
Student-Athlete Representative: Madeline Nichols
University Emergency Management: David Weldon
Healthcare System Representative: Shelley Landis
Student-Athlete Welfare: Rebecca Nelms
Faculty Athletic Representative: Jeff Wilcox

Appendix A Fall Plan
Appendix B NCAA COVID Tests Procedures Guidelines
Appendix C BSC Protocols, talking points
Appendix D Team Travel

Action Plan:
Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, and Swimming student-athletes, and coaches will continue to follow sport specific protocols as teams are actively practicing and competing during the break.
PHASE 1:               January 4              Athletics Staff/Coaches (who have not been continuously working with
                                                                winter sports) permitted to return
PHASE 2:               January 4             Sports Medicine appointments and voluntary student-athlete
                                                                workouts permitted
PHASE 3: (A)         January 10-13      MSOC,WSOC, VB, XC, and WTEN (International) return
PHASE 3: (B)         January 15-17      Baseball, Golf, Track and Field, WTEN, and MTEN return
PHASE 4:               January 19            University opens for classes
PHASE 5: (A)         January 18-19      XC, WSOC, VB after meeting all guidelines may practice
PHASE 5: (B)         January 22-26      BA, Golf, WTEN, MTEN, MSOC may practice
PHASE 6:               February 2            Competition

We anticipate most student-athletes will have a period of time to train and practice prior to competition. We need to review all contracts before finalizing this phase.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phase 1 Athletic Staff and Head Coaches
Beginning January 4 athletics department staff and coaches will transition back to campus, who have not been continuously working with winter sports. All employees are encouraged to take a COVID test prior to return to campus.

Anyone who receives a positive test result or experiences symptoms should NOT report to campus. Athletics staff and coaches will utilize Healthy Roster to self-screen for symptoms. Temperatures will be taken prior to building entry. Staff will be asked to work remotely if any symptoms or temperature are present.

Athletics Staff and coaches will be asked to self-quarantine and restrict movement for at least seven days prior to return to campus, especially if coaches and staff attended large holiday gatherings and/or travelled outside the Asheville area over the break.

Avoid going to restaurants, bars, parties, or any place where people gather in numbers.
Always wear a mask when outside your own home.
Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
Practice frequent hand washing.
If you have not already done so, get your flu shot, and a COVID test before return to campus.

All athletics staff and coaches required to wear masks (Per UNC Asheville recommendations) when in common areas of the building.
Internal Athletics education and information sessions for athletics staff and coaches will continue.
OPEN: Mailroom, Restrooms, Copy Room, Offices; CLOSED: Campus Recreation Fitness, Locker Rooms, Classrooms.

Phase 2: Voluntary student-athlete workouts
Student-athletes who reside in Asheville may voluntarily return to campus for injury rehabilitation and/or strength and conditioning training workouts. During this period, each student-athlete will utilize Healthy Roster to self-screen for symptoms. Student-athletes are encouraged to take a COVID test prior to return to campus. Anyone who receives a positive test result or experiences symptoms should NOT report to campus. Student-Athletes will be asked to self-quarantine and restrict movement for at least seven days prior to return to campus, especially if student-athletes attended large holiday gatherings and/or travelled outside the Asheville area over the break.

Avoid going to restaurants, bars, parties, or any place where people gather in numbers.
Always wear a mask when outside your own home.
Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
Practice frequent hand washing.
If you have not already done so, get your flu shot, and a COVID test before return to campus.

Temperatures may be taken prior to building entry. Student-Athletes will be asked to leave campus and report to student health if any symptoms or temperature are present.
During this phase, Sports Medicine procedures will be in place to protect the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff that meet or exceed university protocols. Student-Athletes who do not meet return to campus protocols will not be permitted to train or rehabilitate injuries on campus.
Student-Athletes, coaches, and athletics staff will be required to wear masks in all common areas. Awareness and proper social isolating practices should continue. Physical distancing measures should continue.

Testing may take place during this phase for all student-athletes in voluntary workout cohort. Student-Athletes will be asked to quarantine following test until results have been received by Sports Medicine.

The Director of Athletics and Director of Student Health Services will be notified of test results and will proceed according to University and NCAA testing protocol.
Student-athletes will be required to follow all building pathways and protocol. Groups of 10 or more should be avoided unless proper precautionary measures have been taken.
During this period, Sports Medicine will be available by appointment only. Based upon student-athlete request and/or reservation, Sports Medicine will develop an equitable and safe schedule, The Athletic Training room will be sanitized and disinfected after use by each student-athlete.

The Athletic Training facilities will only be available for student-athletes and medical personnel. Unless an emergency arises, no entry for Coaches and Staff during this time.
The Olympic Weight Room will only be accessible on a scheduled basis. Based upon student-athlete request and/or reservation, our Head Strength and Conditioning Coach will develop an equitable and safe schedule. Weight room will be sanitized and disinfected after use by each student-athlete. Team usage of this space will not be available during this time.

Throughout this voluntary period, the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach will conduct daily information/education sessions with student-athletes regarding the importance of social distancing, hygiene, and daily health screenings.

OPEN for Student-Athlete access: Restrooms, Athletic Training Room, Weight Room; CLOSED: Campus Recreation Fitness, Outdoor Fields, All Locker Rooms, Classrooms.

Athletics education and information sessions for newly enrolled and returning student-athletes/parents continues.

Phase 3: January 10-13 (A), January 15-17 (B)
Beginning January 10 and continuing through January 17 student-athletes will begin a phased transition back to campus. During this period, each student-athlete will utilize Healthy Roster to self-screen for symptoms. Student-athletes are encouraged to take a COVID test prior to return to campus. Anyone who receives a positive test result or experiences symptoms should NOT report to campus. Temperatures may be taken prior to building entry. Student-Athletes will be asked to report to student health if any symptoms or temperature are present.

"Per University requirements for ALL on campus students, recommendations for ALL off-campus student-athletes:
In the interest of public health and in accordance with UNC System guidance, UNC Asheville will require all residential students to provide documented medical proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering or moving into the residence halls in January. We believe this provides the best opportunity for a safe environment on campus as we begin the spring semester.

Prior to your move-in to the residence halls, you must provide documented medical proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of your scheduled residence hall check-in appointment in order to be given access to your residence hall and for your meal plan to be activated. Both PCR and rapid test results are acceptable. A lot of states and counties have free tests and many are drive-through options. Please search your particular area for these options. Otherwise, students may obtain testing through local health departments, urgent care facilities, local health care providers, or other private testing options like pharmacies. These test results may be submitted in the three following ways:

-uploaded to your confidential health portal through Health and Counseling
-emailed to covid@unca.edu
-hard copy brought with you to your check-in appointment

Once you've been tested, you should quarantine at home to await your test results and before returning to UNC Asheville to live in the residence halls."

Student-Athletes will be asked to self-quarantine and restrict movement for at least seven days prior to return to campus, especially if student-athletes attended large holiday gatherings and/or travelled outside the Asheville area over the break.

Avoid going to restaurants, bars, parties, or any place where people gather in numbers.
Always wear a mask when outside your own home.
Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
Practice frequent hand washing.
If you have not already done so, get your flu shot and follow COVID testing protocol above.

Temperatures may be taken prior to building entry. Student-Athletes will be asked to leave campus and report to student health if any symptoms or temperature are present.
Testing may take place during this phase for a random selection of student-athletes, coaches, and staff during return to campus transition. Student-Athletes will be asked to quarantine following test until results have been received by Sports Medicine.
The Director of Athletics and Director of Student Health Services will be notified of test results and will proceed according to University and NCAA testing protocol.
During this phase, only student-athletes who have previously been conditioning on campus will be permitted to workout.

Phase 4: January 19
Justice, SRC, and Sherrill will be open to all student-athletes. Pathways, entry points, exits clearly marked with signage.
During this phase, athletics will follow campus policies regarding masks.
Athletic Training room will establish protocols for all student-athletes for the following locations:

Main Athletic Training Room (Justice Center)
Auxiliary Athletic Training Room (Sherrill Center)
Satellite Athletic Training Room (Outdoor Track Building)

The Olympic Weight Room will only be accessible on a scheduled basis for those teams who have completed quarantine protocol. The Head Strength and Conditioning Coach will collaborate with coaches to develop an equitable and safe schedule, Weight room will be sanitized and disinfected after use by each team. Team usage of this space will not overlap during this time.

Coaches will be required to conduct daily information/education sessions with their respective teams regarding the importance of social distancing, hygiene, and daily health screenings.

Athletics health care providers, coaches and athletic personnel can resume in-person interactions, for those teams who have completed quarantine protocol but should practice physical distancing, minimizing exposure to settings where such distancing is not practical.

Phase 5: January 18-26

During this period all practices and workouts will be contingent upon guidance and legislation from the NCAA and Big South Conference. See appendix B and C.

Student-Athletes, coaches, and athletics staff will be required to wear masks in all common areas. Awareness and proper social isolating practices should continue. Physical distancing measures should continue.
Student-athletes will be required to follow all building pathways and protocol. Groups of 10 or more should be avoided unless proper precautionary measures have been taken.

Athletic Training room will establish protocols for all student-athletes for the following locations:

Main Athletic Training Room (Justice Center)
Auxiliary Athletic Training Room (Sherrill Center)
Satellite Athletic Training Room (Outdoor Track Building will be created and equipped to facilitate social distancing and lessen traffic in main athletic training room)

The Olympic Weight Room will only be accessible on a scheduled basis. The Head Strength and Conditioning Coach will collaborate with coaches to develop an equitable and safe schedule. Weight room will be sanitized and disinfected after use by each team. Team usage of this space will not overlap during this time.

Coaches will be required to conduct daily information/education sessions with their respective teams regarding the importance of social distancing, hygiene, and daily health screenings.

Athletics education and information sessions for incoming and returning student-athletes/parents continues.

Student-Athletes will only be permitted to conduct self-workouts on site by appointment. Time limits will be enforced if multiple requests are received.

Inclement weather protocols for outdoor sports will be developed in coordination with Mission Health Sports Medicine, Campus Recreation, Athletics Administration and Coaching Staff.

Practices will be scheduled through Senior Associate AD for Operations. Practice times may not be changed without approval of Athletic Director.

Off-Campus sports, MTEN, WTEN, WSW, Golf will follow protocols at on-site locations. Each off-campus location will be requested to provide their respective resocialization plans to the athletic department. Pathway signage, disinfectants, etc. will be provided to ensure off-campus locations provide safe environments for student-athletes.
Student-Athletes will report directly to off-campus locations for practice.

Off-campus locations:

Asheville Racquet Club: Men's and Women's Tennis
Cliffs at Walnut Cove Golf Course: Women's Golf
Jewish Community Center: Women's Diving

Phase 6: February 2 (Competition may begin)

All competition will be dependent on NCAA and Big South Conference legislation.

During this phase, sport specific plans for spectators will be in place to meet and/or exceed university expectations. Plans will be in place based on NCAA and Big South Conference legislation to include, no spectators, minimal spectators (pass list), and percentage based on facility size and recommended guidelines.
______________________________________________________________________________

Appendix A

..\Game Administration\20-21\Resocialization of Bulldog Athletics_August4.pdf

Appendix B

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/ssi/COVID/SSI_ResocializationDevelopingStandardsSecondEdition.pdf

Appendix C
..\Big South\20-21\Talking Points.docx
..\Big South\20-21\BSC COVID Guidelines (12).pdf

Appendix D

UNC Asheville Winter/Spring Travel Protocols 2020-21
This document is based on guidelines and recommendations from the CDC, NCAA, Big South Conference, and state and local health agencies. It is subject to change if circumstances warrant. These protocols are in place for UNC Asheville Coaches, staff, and student-athlete team travel.
Basic Vehicle Protocols

Seats will be assigned prior to departure; seat assignments will remain the same until return to campus.
1. If possible, assign seats according to current living situations. (roommates, suitemates, etc.)
2. No shared seats spaced out as much as possible.
Masks are required at ALL times.
No food consumption in the vehicle(s) during the trip.
Open windows if available.
Limit the number of personal items in vehicle for each person.
Verbal symptom checks prior to departure, may require temperature checks.

Advance Travel Notification/Approval

Complete and submit online travel roster form. Each team should designate one member of the coaching staff to complete and submit 5-7 days prior to departure.
Basketball travel rosters may only include those individuals designated, per NCAA guidelines, as Tier 1.
Head Coach should confirm that no travel restrictions exist on opponent institutions' campus, county, or state before departing UNC Asheville.
1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html
Required information includes; travel party size, vehicle(s) capacity, duration of bus trip (stops may be required depending on length of trip).
Travel roster must be approved prior to departure.
Limit the number of overnight hotel stays as much as possible.
Coaches responsible for securing the following items prior to departure:
1. Hand Sanitizer
2. 3-5 extra masks
3. Paper Towels
4. Disinfectant Wipes/Spray

During the Trip

Hand sanitize before entering bus.
Under 3 hours, limit the number of stops (none recommended)
3-6 hours, (2 stops recommended) large space, parking lot etc. to stretch and take off mask
6-8 hours, (3 stops recommended) see above
Open windows/vent if applicable.
Movement on bus limited to restroom use.
No consumption of food.

Return to Campus

Plan to eat at competition venue prior to departure. All food must be pre-boxed.
Hand sanitize before entering bus.
Sit in assigned seats
Masks at all times, including sleep.
Limit the number of student-athletes, staff, and coaches that enter buildings upon return to campus. If possible, student-athletes should report directly to residence hall/car upon arrival. Ask bus driver to drop off resident hall students near Highsmith.
All building doors must be LOCKED prior to departing campus.

FAQ's
Q: What do I do if a member of our travel party begins to exhibit symptoms?
A: As soon as possible separate person from the rest of the travel party. Immediately contact Sport Supervisor/Athletic Director. Begin to make alternate arrangements for transportation for symptomatic individual (rental car, etc.).
Q: Hotel rooming assignments?
A: Rooming assignments should remain the same for your entire season. Assign rooms based on current living situations.
Q: Shower, towels, etc?
A: When applicable, travel party should shower at hotel and NOT venue. Travel with your own towels if available.
Q: Hotel Breakfast?
A: No hotel buffets etc. Travel parties should only consume pre-boxed meals while on the road.
Q: Parent's meet bus and drop off cookies, snacks, etc?
A: Only pre-packaged items, individually wrapped cookies, yes…container of cookies NO.
Q: Where do I collect supplies for our trip (sanitizer, disinfectant etc.?)
A: Supplies will be provided before your first trip and should last several trips, contact Terri for additional supplies.
Q: What are the hotel protocols?
A: Check with hotel prior to departure to ensure hotel property staff are wearing masks, touchpoints are frequently sanitized, use stairs NOT elevator, wash hands immediately after entering room.

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

UNC Asheville Releases Updated Resocialization Plan for Spring Athletics

Related News

Related Videos