New Information on Testing Protocols for College Football Players

One of the biggest obstacles facing college football is how to properly and effectively test student-athletes for the COVID-19 coronavirus during the coming college football season.

On Thursday, Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger released an exclusive in which he shared information obtained from sources inside Power Five conferences on possible testing protocols for the coming season.

"These requirements are part of a medical document the Power 5 conferences have drafted to add uniformity to virus testing protocols and response procedures. Sports Illustrated obtained a copy of a draft of the document from July 8. The document is not finalized, but is expected to be released soon by the Power 5 and the NCAA, which are working in concert to create universal, minimum testing standards.

The six-page document outlines weekly in-season testing requirements, response protocols for positive tests, contact-tracing plans and considerations for game cancellations. “This document is meant to guide institutions in the minimum necessary requirements needed to participate in athletics in the coming year,” the document reads."

It is the first look inside how the top conferences are attempting to work together to assure that each school is operating under the same rules and restrictions for testing and possible quarantines of players who either come in contact with an infected party or test positive themselves.

"College teams will be required to test football players within 72 hours of games using the standard PCR test. Game officials in football and basketball should also be tested weekly, because of their close contact with athletes, the document says. The document, however, does not require tests for coaches, though staff members must wear a mask on the sideline if they are not tested in the same way athletes are. As for other high-risk sports, athletes should be tested within 72 hours of the first game of a week’s set of games."

One of the most talked-about aspects of the possible season has revolved around the testing and how exactly things would work.

Dellenger further details the information he received in his story, as at least some of the issues surrounding the implementation of testing become apparent with this new information.

This is a story that will likely see changes moving forward as the conferences, along with the NCAA work to build their plan to protect players best, coaches, and team support staff.

It is a daunting task, but a necessary one as we all work toward a season in 2020.

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