Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said all student-athletes returning to campus for workouts and fall competitions will be required to take weekly tests for COVID-19.
Scott told 247Sports on Monday that all athletes will undergo testing for the coronavirus and also will take tests for the virus’ antibodies. The latter can reveal whether someone previously had COVID-19 and has developed antibodies against infection.
“We are going to have uniformity in the Pac-12,” said Scott, who added that student-athletes would be tested regularly even if they’re asymptomatic.
“It’s too late if you’ve got a symptom,” Scott said. “You've probably been infectious a few days before. And so for that reason and others, there will be testing."
Scott said the antibody testing would help make medical personnel and trainers aware of who’s had the virus, which brings “a heightened level of concern with cardiac and lung (health).”
The Pac-12’s policies, which haven’t officially been announced, are consistent with plans that Arizona president Robert C. Robbins has been promoting. Robbins said testing, tracing and treatment will play a significant role in the university’s efforts to resume in-person classes in late August, even if some instruction remains online.
The Pac-12 last week announced that its athletic programs could welcome back student-athletes for voluntary on-campus training starting June 15. The UA plans to bring back its student-athletes in waves starting on that date, with the first group consisting of 20-23 football players who live in the area.
Scott told 247Sports that testing protocols “will continue to evolve” over the summer and that he’s “cautiously optimistic” all states within the Pac-12 footprint will allow for on-campus workouts “sometime in June.”
