Pac-12 Sports are Back

After meeting today, the Pac-12 CEO group has officially announced that the Pac-12 will resume it’s football, basketball, and winter sport seasons. The football season is set to begin on Nov 7 and the basketball season on Nov 25. Universities with local approvals may commence practice immediately.

Per the immediate release statement, the approval was made based on “updated Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee recommendations that take into account material changes to testing capabilities, the prevalence of COVID-19 and cardiac issues, along with updated state and local health official guidance.” Surely, they are referring to daily antigen testing now available on campuses, approvals from local councils and officials, and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stamp of indifference.

No fans will be allowed at Pac-12 games, and that decision will be revisited in January based on updated health and safety considerations. Schools that are still under the bus in terms of necessary state and local health approvals may be unable to play, including Colorado & Stanford, but with the majority breaking through that threshhold, the season looks to be set.

In order to protect staff and players’ safety during the season, the Pac-12 will require that universities administer at least one weekly PCR test to each student-athlete. Additionally “each Pac-12 sports medicine group will be implementing cardiac monitoring protocols for all student-athletes with a positive test.”

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said that the Pac-12 has been basing their approach on “following the science, data and counsel of our public health and infectious disease experts,” adding that “Our agreement with Quidel to provide daily rapid-results testing has been a game-changer.” Indeed it has, as the updated recommendations from the Medical Advisory Committee included that teams can only play once rapid antigen testing is available on every campus.

The schedule for the football season will be released in the coming days, with the Pac-12 Championship set for December 18, “enabling Pac-12 teams to be considered for selection by the CFP.” Delightful news for any Cal fan.