Praire View A&M Coaches & Athletics Staff Covid-19 Procedures and Training Manual 2020-2021*

 
*Please note that this document along with any defined practices and procedures therein are subject to change as NCAA, Federal, State, Regional, Local, and/or University updates are released. 
 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this training manual is to provide the coaches and athletics staff with the guidelines and procedures that will be implemented and followed for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the ever changing nature of the pandemic and recommendations from national and state governing bodies, these guidelines may change at the discretion of the athletics administration staff. Training of student-athletes and staff will take place prior to check-in dates. All student-athletes and staff must acknowledge training through a signed statement at the conclusion of the training. 
 

INTRODUCTION

What is Covid-19?
Covid-19, also known as Coronavirus or SARS-COV-2, is a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. Symptoms of Covid-19 range from mild to severe illness and include: 

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Tiredness
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Muscle aches
  • Chills
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Headache
  • Chest pain
  • Less common symptoms include rash, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
 
Coronavirus is highly contagious and is spread through person to person contact, contact with an infected person’s respiratory droplets, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose. Symptoms of Covid-19 usually present between 5-14 days after infection. The virus may also be spread by asymptomatic persons. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect against Coronavirus.
*Courtesy of the World Health Organization, Mayo Clinic, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 
PRECAUTIONS
 
Currently, there is no vaccine to protect against Coronavirus, however, there are steps that one may take to prevent the spread and protect themselves and others:
  1. Stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with others
  2. Wear a cloth face covering that covers your nose and mouth in public settings
  3. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
  4. Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
  5. Practice social distancing if you must go out
  6. Stay home if you are sick and avoid crowded areas and contact with people
*Courtesy of Mayo Clinic & the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR CHOWAN ATHLETICS 
 
To be in accordance with national, state, and university guidelines, the Athletics Covid-19 Task Force has determined guidelines and procedures with which all athletics staff must comply. These guidelines will affect practice, fitness, and strength and conditioning sessions. In addition to the aforementioned, the operation of the athletic training rooms and training room procedures have been adjusted to ensure the safety of student-athletes and staff. 
 
MODIFIED NCAA PHASES
The NCAA released the “Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Sport” which details a three-phase approach to returning to collegiate athletics. The Athletics Covid-19 Task Force has modified the recommendations to facilitate Chowan student-athletes’ successful and safe return to play and to prepare them for the start of the fall semester athletic season.
 
The following are the modified NCAA resocialization guidelines for Chowan University:
 
Chowan University Resocialization Guidelines
 
Phase One:
In accordance with the federal guidelines, resocialization of sport for Phase One assumes the following:
 
  1. Gating criteria have been satisfied for a minimum of 10 days.
  2.  Vulnerable populations will be educated regarding their elevated risk for possible health complications due to Covid-19. Vulnerable populations should be monitored closely during all athletic activity but should not be restricted or isolated from lifting, conditioning, or practice sessions unless symptoms dictate quarantine is necessary. 
  3. Those living in dorms and other residences where vulnerable individuals reside should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home, and appropriate isolation precautions should be taken.
  4.  Physical distancing should continue 
  5. Gatherings of more than 10 people should be avoided unless precautionary measures of physical distancing and sanitization are in place. Lifting and conditioning sessions should limit/minimize student-athlete to student-athlete interactions for this phase.
  6.  Gyms and common areas where student-athletes and staff are likely to congregate and interact, should remain closed unless strict distancing and sanitation protocols can be implemented. 
  7. Virtual meetings should be encouraged whenever possible and feasible.
  8.  Nonessential travel should be minimized, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding isolation after travel should be implemented. 
Phase Two:
In accordance with the federal guidelines, if Phase One has been implemented successfully, with no evidence of a rebound, and gating criteria have been satisfied for a minimum of 10 days since the implementation of Phase One:
 
  1. Vulnerable individuals should continue to be monitored closely during lifting, conditioning, and practice sessions.
  2.  Awareness and proper isolating practices related to vulnerable individuals in residences should continue. 
  3. Physical distancing should continue.
  4.  Gatherings of more than 50 people should be avoided unless precautionary measures of physical distancing and sanitization are in place. Lifting and conditioning sessions may start to incorporate more student-athlete to student-athlete interactions. 
  5. Gyms and common areas where student-athletes and staff are likely to congregate and interact should remain closed, or appropriate distancing and sanitation protocols should be implemented.
  6.  Virtual meetings should continue to be encouraged whenever possible and feasible. 
  7. Nonessential travel may resume.
 
Phase Three:
In accordance with the federal guidelines, if Phase Two has been implemented successfully, with no evidence of a rebound, and gating criteria have been satisfied for a minimum of 10 days since the implementation of Phase Two:
 
  1. Gyms and common areas where student-athletes and staff are likely to congregate and interact can reopen if appropriate sanitation protocols are implemented, but even low-risk populations should consider minimizing time spent in crowded environments.
  2.  Unrestricted staffing may resume. 
  3. Vulnerable student-athletes, athletics health care providers, coaches and athletics personnel can resume in-person interactions, but should practice physical distancing, minimizing exposure to settings where such distancing is not practical.
 
PROPOSED STUDENT-ATHLETE CHECK-IN PROCEDURES
Proposed Check-In Process-Athletics 
Proposed Check In Days:  August 17th (Football, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball) 
 
ALL CHECK-IN PROCESSES WILL REQUIRE MASKS AND FOLLOW UNIVERSITY SOCIAL DISTANCING PRACTICES. 
 
Check-in (same process or all 3 check-ins unless processes need to be adjusted or adapted)
  • Day 1
    • COVID-19 screening/testing (NCAA mandated or University requirement) 
    • Student-athlete processing (Hawks’s Athletic Center)
    • Student-athlete Covid-19 training
  • Days 2 & 3
    • Student-Athlete Physicals/NCAA-required sickle cell trait testing 
    • Concussion testing completed in designated labs 
    • Compliance meetings completed in designated areas 
    • Athletic communications checklist completed in designated areas (PLEASE NOTE: NO TEAM PHOTOS WILL BE TAKEN IN THE FALL SEMESTER. INDIVIDUAL HEADSHOTS WILL BE COORDINATED WITH ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE AND COACHING STAFF.)
 
PRACTICE AND CONDITIONING 
 
TRAINING & CONDITIONING 
 
In planning practice sessions, coaches must follow state guidelines regarding social distancing and maximum number of people in or on a facility. This may require coaches to plan several practice sessions to accommodate all of their student-athletes. It is the responsibility of the coaches to communicate training session times, locations, or changes with the athletic training so that the staff may provide appropriate coverage. ALL SOCIAL DISTANCING SPORTS PRACTICES PLANS  FOR THE SEASON MUST BE APPROVED BY DESIGNATED SPORT SUPERVISOR PRIOR TO CHECK-IN OR THE START OF THE SPORTS PRACTICE SEASON. 
 
ACCLIMATIZATION 
 
Due to the lack of access to gyms or fitness facilities during this pandemic, student-athletes may be returning significantly de-trained. For this reason, the acclimatization period may be extended so that student-athletes have the ability to regain their strength and conditioning losses and to mitigate the possibility of general or catastrophic injury.
 
Below are recommendations from the “Return to Sports and Exercise during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Guidance for High School and Collegiate Athletic Programs” Consensus Statement, regarding heat acclimatization:
 
  1. An important consideration is that fitness acclimatization may overlap and even enhance/jumpstart the heat acclimatization process.
  2.  Once physical fitness is established, gradually increase the duration and intensity of exercise in the heat over a minimum of 7 days, with full adaptations occurring at 10-14 days. Repeated maximal physical efforts over a prolonged period and competitive play should be avoided until both fitness and heat acclimatization are achieved.
  3. While some adaptations can be obtained from exposure to hot environments without exercise as well as from exercise without heat exposure,these approaches do not maximize the adaptations.
  4.  Teams will need to modify regular season start dates and/or shortening the length of the regular season to allow sufficient time for heat acclimatization to occur.  
  5. If training is paused for more than 5-7 days due to “stay at home orders” or due to individual/team quarantines, schools should consider restarting or extending the heat acclimatization process prior to the resumption of activity.
 
PRACTICE PLANS
 
Coaches will be required to submit practice plans to athletics administrators for approval. The administrators will check to ensure that the plans appropriately follow the guidelines set forth by the Athletics Covid-19 Task Force.
 
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING PLANS
 
Weight Room Capacity
The Athletic Department has two weight rooms. One located in the Pond Center and one located in the Hawks Athletic Center. A designated S &C Coach coordinates training for student-athletes in each of these facilities. There are five racks (2 sides) in the Hawks Athletic Center and 8 racks (2 sides) in the Pond Center Fitness Center. 
 
Strength and conditioning coaches must adhere to social distancing and sanitation practices in the weight room.  In furthering efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, weight rooms will be limited to 10 athletes per session for the entire academic year. Coaches should expect to facilitate several S&C sessions throughout the day to accommodate all student-athletes. Sanitation stations with disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer will be available in each fitness center. All racks and equipment must be sanitized prior to use and following use by each student-athlete. The weight rooms will be fogged with disinfectant once per day or more depending on use of the facility. 
 
LIFTING AND CONDITIONING PLANS 
Coaches will be required to submit lifting and conditioning plans to athletics administrators for approval. The administrators will check to ensure that the plans appropriately follow the guidelines set forth by the Athletics Covid-19 Task Force. The plans must be planned in equity for each program and student-athlete. Any accommodations must be approved. If the use of the weight room is limited because of student-athlete volume, then the strength and conditioning coach must modify workout plans with each coach that meets the needs of the respective teams/student-athletes. 
 
ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM PROCEDURES 
 
Summary Key Points
The following are the summary key point to changes in the athletic training room:
  1. The athletic training room will have a student-athlete capacity limit to accommodate social distancing.
  2. Rehab sessions will operate on an appointment only format, and student-athletes may only enter the athletic training room for rehab.
  3. Pre-practice treatments (heat pack, theragun, cupping, etc.) are eliminated.
  4. There will be a set time for which student-athletes may receive pre-practice taping.
  5. Post-practice treatment will be eliminated. Ice bags will be placed in teams’ locker rooms.
  6. Student-Athletes will be required to wear masks in the athletic training room.
  7. Visiting teams may not enter the athletic training room. Chowan athletic trainers will provide pre-game modalities outside of the visiting locker room that they may use.
 
For more specific information regarding procedural changes in the athletic training room, please refer to the “Chowan University Sports Medicine Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedure 2020-2021.”
 
Social Distancing, Face Masks, & Sanitation in All Athletic Buildings
Hawks Athletic Center, Pond Center, Vincent Center, Brave Hawks House
 
To provide safe spaces where learning, teaching, serving, engaging, living, playing, and working together can thrive, the University will modify facilities to include limiting capacity in spaces; closing, where possible, informal gathering places; creating visual cues to direct community members where to enter, exit, stand, etc.; installing, where possible, barriers to ensure physical distancing; and removing furniture in public spaces.

To provide meaningful, safe and healthy experiences for all members of the community, the University will reimagine every dimension of the Chowan experience, including student organizations, residential life, dining services, athletic events, special programs, performances, exhibitions, admissions events, commencements, alumni and philanthropic activities, etc.

The University will implement standards, processes, and responsibilities for routine cleaning and disinfecting high-touch points and public spaces, such as classrooms, lobbies, and restrooms, etc.; for identifying areas to be deep cleaned following a presumptive for confirmed COVID-19 case; for distributing cleaning and disinfecting supplies to employees who have the responsibility of disinfecting their workspace on a regular basis several times per day; and for installing hand sanitizer dispensers at strategic points throughout campus.

The Chowan University athletic department will adhere in as much as physically possible to the University guidelines associated with social distancing. 
 
FACEMASKS
 
Facemasks will be required in all areas of campus, including athletic buildings. Facemasks will be required to be worn during athletic training treatments, athletic team travel on buses, vans, or University sponsored trip vehicles, and face-to-face meetings where social distancing is not permitted. Social distancing is defined as a minimum of 6 feet, or two arm lengths from another person. Facemasks will be provided to all student-athletes and must be worn according to the University’s facemask policy. Student-athletes will be responsible for sanitizing their own facemasks. Coaches and administrators will check with student-athletes to ensure that facemask sanitation guidelines are being followed. 
 
DEFINED ENTRY & EXITS 
 
The athletic department will define Entry and Exit Doorways for all athletic buildings in accordance  with standards set forth by the University social distancing policies. Any person entering or exiting any athletic area/venue/building is required to follow signage regarding regulations for entry and exit. 
 
SPLIT HALLWAYS
 
The interior of all athletic buildings will feature a split hallway system. Signage will be present to direct any person entering any athletic building on campus. Signage will be present to direct foot traffic in hallways. 
 
LOCKER ROOMS
 
Locker room use by teams will dramatically change for the 2020-21 year. Teams will be permitted to use locker rooms with strict social distancing practices in place. Teams will assign each student-athlete to “groups” or “pods” with designated times for entry and exit into assigned locker rooms. Sanitation of the locker room and any area leading into the locker rooms will be sanitized prior to and following each “group” or “pod” entry and/or exit into the designated locker room area. Locker rooms will no longer serve as a “hang out” or “lounge” area for student-athletes. Student-athletes must enter for purposes of changing or collecting gear or equipment for practices only. 
 
TEAM LAUNDRY 
 
Managers, team members or coaches that plan to use laundry facilities to wash gear, practice clothing, or game uniforms will adhere to the guidelines set forth effectively immediately. Laundry regulations were created using the CDC guidelines for community laundry facilities. 
 
One manager or team designee is permitted to launder in athletic laundry facilities in any athletic building. Signage will be posted in all athletic laundry areas with regulations clearly stated. COVID 19 Education on laundering procedures and safety in dealing with laundry must be completed in order to be assigned laundry duty. 
 
  • Laundry must be washed in hot water for a minimum of 25 minutes to ensure sanitation 
  • No more than one person per 6 feet in laundry room 
  • Face masks must be worn while both collecting and washing team laundry 
  • Gloves must be worn while running laundry cycles
    • Gloves must be disposed of properly after sorting, starting, and changing over laundry loads 
 
SANITATION PROCEDURES
 
Below are the sanitization procedures to be implemented within the athletics facilities to help to minimize spread of COVID-19 and other viruses and/or bacterial infections.
 
WATER BOTTLES
 
Each student-athlete will be provided with an individual water bottle. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete and the coaches to make sure that their water bottle is appropriately sanitized. It is also the responsibility of the student-athlete and coaches to make sure that the student-athlete brings their water bottle to each training session. Failure to do so may result in removal from practice until the water bottle is procured.
 
WATER BOTTLE SANITIZING PROCEDURES 
 
Each student-athlete will be provided with their own water bottle to use for the year.  The student-athlete and coaching staff will be responsible for sanitizing their bottle and lid in their locker room or designated space daily with solutions provided.  Student-athletes will be responsible for making sure that they bring their water bottle and fill it to every practice/weights/game.
 
LOCKER ROOM SANITATION 
 
Locker room sanitation will be the shared responsibility of the student-athletes, coaches, sports medicine, and athletic administrative staff.  Student-athletes will be responsible for keeping their locker and clothing/equipment tidy and clean.  Coaches will be tasked to wipe down all high touch areas with provided disinfectant sprays and wipes daily.  Athletic administrative staff and/or sports medicine staff will be responsible for fogging the locker room space down with cdc approved disinfectants on a daily basis (while in season) and as appropriate out of season.
 
Locker rooms will also be sanitized before and after use by an outside visiting team and/or officials, this will be coordinated by athletics administrative staff.
 
WEIGHT ROOM SANITATION 
 
Weight room facilities and equipment should be sanitized on a daily basis using CDC approved sanicides or virucides. It is the responsibility of the strength and conditioning personnel to ensure that all equipment (dumbbells, bars, weights, etc are sanitized between users).  Sprays and wipes/towels will be provided to student-athletes and staff to clean equipment before and after use.  The weight room facilities will also be sprayed with a fogger daily (m-f unless used on weekends/holidays as well) to disinfect larger areas that would not be ideal to use spray/wipes for (floors, mats, turf room, etc).
 
SHARED AREA SANITATION 
Gyms, classrooms, facility seating, spectator areas, high touch areas, team areas (dugouts, team benches, team meeting or team conference areas) 
 
All above mentioned areas will be cleaned and sanitized on a routine basis using appropriate disinfectants.  This will be coordinated by athletics administrative staff. Coaches will be tasked with assisting with this process as needed. 

SPITTING 
  • Please refrain from spitting in traveled areas or in areas that others may come into contact with (i.e.-parking lots, locker rooms, training rooms, weight rooms, dugouts, team benches, hallways)
  • The consumption and spitting of sunflower seeds are prohibited in any team or spectator area. 
  • The consumption of tobacco products is prohibited by the NCAA in any team area BUT will be regulated more closely because of COVID-19 sanitation guidelines. 
 
MISC. COMMON AREAS
 
In order to comply with the sanitation guidelines set forth by the University, all common areas listed below must be sanitized following each use using a sanicide or virucide spray or wipe. The University is not responsible for providing sanitation supplies for common areas that are not University funded (i.e., Keurig machines, coffee stations in offices, microwaves). If the use of these areas is to be continued, then proper sanitation must occur. 
 
  • Copy machines/printers 
  • Coffee stations
  • Microwave or kitchenette areas 
  • Bench seating in lobby areas
 
SCREENINGS
 
Recommendation of student-athlete and staff screening procedures will be done at the discretion of Dr. Frank Taylor, CU Athletics Team Physician. This section of the Athletics COVID-19 Operational Handbook will be updated upon review of recommendations made by medical staff. 
 
Coaches are asked to help facilitate daily screenings of their student-athletes. Screenings will occur prior to the first physical activity session of the day. Screenings will consist of a Covid-19 Health Screening Questionnaire and temperature/blood oxygen readings.
 
Coaches are asked to take the temperature/oxygen readings of their athletes and enter it into a Google document. Student-athletes are required to fill out the questionnaire on ATS every evening between 6pm and 9pm. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from all athletic activity for the following day.
 
TEAM TRAVEL 
 
When traveling or making travel arrangements for your teams, the following recommendations need to be followed. 
  • Limit travel parties when opportunities are available 
  • Travel must be done wearing face masks (buses and vans)
  • Student-athletes, coaches wipe down touch points in hotel prior to unpacking 
    • Phones, light switches, door knobs, drawer pulls, TV remote, outlet covers, etc.
  • Limit student-athletes to 2 per hotel room, or 3 with a rollaway bed  
  • Charters-sanitation guidelines 
  • Enterprise-sanitation guidelines 
  • Check sanitation and cleanliness ratings online before making reservations with any hotel for overnight trips 
  • When possible pre-order meals for pick up with the cafe and with restaurants along route traveling to avoid entering restaurants with large groups
  • Designate one person on road trips to wash uniforms with gloves and masks if applicable