Football players can begin working out on Kentucky’s campus Monday
Football players can soon start working out on the University of Kentucky’s campus.
Players who remained in Lexington throughout the COVID-19 pandemic will be allowed to begin voluntary workouts on campus beginning Monday, the first day allowed for those activities as determined by the Southeastern Conference last month, UK announced Saturday. Participation in those workouts is contingent upon the passing of an initial screening process that includes testing for COVID-19 antibodies.
Only staff members deemed essential to athlete well-being — including strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers and nutrition staff — will be allowed to be present during voluntary workout periods. All athletes and staff will be subject to daily screenings upon entry to facilities, which will include temperature checks and symptom questionnaire forms.
The school will provide personal protective equipment to athletes and staff.
Football players returning to Lexington from other parts of the country can begin the initial screening process on Monday but won’t be able to participate in voluntary workouts until June 15. Athletes scheduled for a June 15 return will have a June 22 target start for voluntary workouts.
The athletics department did not announce return plans for any athletes in other sports, but they were referenced in a statement by Mitch Barnhart, the school’s director of athletics.
“We will not compromise the safety and well-being of our student-athletes in this process, taking all possible precautions,” Barnhart said in a news release. “Once we take this important step in returning to activity, we will shift our focus to preparing to return to play and bringing the entire UK family — student-athletes, coaches and fans alike — back together this fall in a responsible and safe way.”
UK did not specify how many players it expects to begin working out Monday, but it will not be the first large reunion of team members. Dozens of players and coaches participated in a team-organized march in support of Black Lives Matter on Friday.
The school did not share plans regarding protocols in place for those who test positive for COVID-19, nor specify whether players are required to reside on campus if participating in workouts. The university did not immediately response to a Herald-Leader request for comment regarding those questions or others that the news organization had regarding the return of athletes to campus.
UK has shared multiple proposals it is considering for the return of all students for the fall semester, but has not officially announced its campus-wide plans. Those proposals include options that would call for increased virtual learning and smaller class sizes.
The University of Louisville announced return plans for its athletes on May 21 and shared details of its fall semester reopening plan. U of L will use a hybrid class models of in-person and virtual instruction, and will allow professors to teach as little as 25 percent of their typical class size in person. Students won’t be required to return to campus for the fall semester after Thanksgiving break.
Western Kentucky University — the only other school in the state that’s part of the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision — has announced campus-wide return plans. Its athletics plan calls for 65 total football players to return Monday and 40 remaining players to return July 6.
This story was originally published June 6, 2020 at 2:39 PM.
