USC Athletics COVID-19 Updates – USC Athletics
USC Athletics | August 26, 2020
For Student-Athletes
At any time, please feel free to submit any questions or concerns directly to us or through our Student-Athlete Question and Concern Virtual Hotline. We also encourage you to reach out to your coaches, athletic department support staff team, and/or FAR Dr. Alan Green. Additionally, we have an Anonymous Compliance Hotline that exists permanently on our athletics website.
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020
USC Athletics is pausing workouts in football and men’s water polo until at least Monday after eight student-athletes in those sports tested positive for COVID-19 through the weekly surveillance testing program.
All eight student-athletes have been isolated. It is clear from contact tracing that the virus was contracted off campus as a result of increased community spread and not via any on-campus or training activities. Per current Pac-12 Conference and public health guidelines, all USC are outdoors and non-contact. The risk of exposure by any coaches, staff, and other student-athletes is very low. Student-athletes in football and men’s water polo will undergo another round of COVID-19 testing this week.
Click Here for full release.
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020
The Pac-12 Conference issued the following statement:
The Pac-12 CEO Group voted unanimously to postpone all sport competitions through the end of the 2020 calendar year.
The decision was made after consultation with athletics directors and with the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee who expressed concern with moving forward with contact practice. The report and updated guidelines of the Committee can be found here: Pac-12 COVID-19 Return to Play Considerations – Aug. 10, 2020 and a full list of Committee members can be found here: Pac-12 Medical Advisory Committee. The Conference also announced that when conditions improve, it would consider a return to competition for impacted sports after January 1, 2021.
Student-athletes impacted by the postponement will continue to have their scholarships guaranteed. Additionally, the Pac-12 Conference strongly encourages that the NCAA grant students who opt out of competition this academic year an additional year of eligibility. As part of their guaranteed scholarships, they will continue to have university support, including academic advising and tutoring, among other support services.
“All of the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors understand the importance of this decision, and the disappointment it will create for our student-athletes, the coaches, support staff and all of our fans,” said Michael H. Schill, president of the University of Oregon. “Ultimately, our decision was guided by science and a deep commitment to the health and welfare of student-athletes. We certainly hope that the Pac-12 will be able to return to competition in the New Year.”
“The health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports has been our number one priority since the start of this current crisis,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. “Our student-athletes, fans, staff and all those who love college sports would like to have seen the season played this calendar year as originally planned, and we know how disappointing this is.”
Scott noted that while the Conference’s detailed plan to keep student-athletes safe was working in accordance with the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee guidelines and state and local government orders, the situation was becoming more challenging: “Unlike professional sports, college sports cannot operate in a bubble,” he said. “Our athletic programs are a part of broader campuses in communities where in many cases the prevalence of COVID-19 is significant. We will continue to monitor the situation and when conditions change we will be ready to explore all options to play the impacted sports in the new calendar year.”
“We know that this is a difficult day for our student-athletes, and our hearts go out to them and their families,” added Scott. “We have made clear that all of their scholarships will be guaranteed, and that as a Conference we are strongly encouraging the NCAA to grant them an additional year of eligibility.”
Friday, July 31, 2020
Following the Pac-12’s release of USC’s revised football schedule, athletic directors Mike Bohn (USC) and Martin Jarmond (UCLA) released the following joint statement:
“We are pleased with today’s Pac-12 announcement of revised scheduling details for 2020 fall sports. We understand the great interest in the 90th edition of our historic football rivalry game, currently scheduled for Sept. 26 at the Rose Bowl. Though we are progressing toward the start of our respective seasons, at this time we do not have the necessary county and state clearances to begin competitions. Developing a scheduling model for the fall sports season that provides optimal flexibility was an important next step in the process. In particular, our football schedules create the opportunity for us to shift our season-opening contest to open dates later in the season (Oct. 31 and Dec. 12), if necessary. UCLA and USC are in absolute alignment, and we remain in regular communication with state, local, and university officials. We will continue to follow their guidance with the utmost regard for the health and safety of our student-athletes.”
Additionally, Bohn sent the following email to the Trojan Family that day:
I hope this message finds you safe and healthy. Thank you for your unwavering support of USC student-athletes. Although we are forced to physically distance right now, the Trojan Family is closer than ever and your generosity will be central to our success whenever competition resumes. Thank you for continuing to be a champion for USC student-athletes!
By now, I’m sure you’ve seen today’s announcement by the Pac-12 Conference detailing the 2020 fall sports schedule. Having been so consumed by doubt these last four months, we are pleased that our fall sport student-athletes can continue their training with the knowledge of a proposed timeline for returning to competition. The decision to delay the start of the fall sports season, with the optionality to commence our football season even a week later on October 3, is a solution that represents a commitment to equitably serving the interests of our football and fall Olympic sports teams, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. Since we launched our phased return to campus plan in late June, we have been extremely encouraged by the efficacy of our protocols and the compliance of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
I know many of you still have a number of questions about the 2020 football season to which we do not have answers, and we share in your frustration about the uncertainty of our circumstances. Following the Pac-12 announcement, Martin Jarmond, UCLA’s new athletic director, and I issued a joint statement.
I thought it would be informative to follow up and provide some additional context. With health and safety at the forefront, our primary focus over these last few months has been to insert as much flexibility as possible within all of our planning so that we can be agile in response to this ever-changing, unprecedented environment. Whether in regards to the precise timing of our phased return to campus for student-athletes, the composition of the sports schedules, or the opt-in/opt-out season ticket process, we are thoughtfully approaching each challenge with patience and prudence to ensure steady progress toward the fall season we all desire. We must be prepared to adapt instantaneously to any significant developments. As such, it is likely that, based on current trends, we will take advantage of this strategic scheduling flexibility and our shared circumstances with UCLA to shift that rivalry contest to an open date later in the season, meaning our first football game would be October 3.
It is true that, at this time, we do not have state, county, or university clearance for traditional practices and competitions. Additionally, we have not received any indication about if fans will be permitted to attend home games at the Coliseum this year should the season go forward, and we do not have any timeline for when this decision would be made by public health officials. Following our lead, the Rams and Chargers, who have proven to be outstanding partners during this pandemic, performed a similar opt-out process for their season ticket holders, and they are expecting a limited-to-no capacity scenario at the new Sofi Stadium this fall.
We have wonderful and well-connected government relations and medical teams at USC, so please know that we remain in constant communication with the LA County Department of Public Health and Governor Newsom’s office. The state recently released guidance for K-12 schools, and we are optimistic that they will soon release similar instructions for higher education, to include athletics. We are appreciative of the fact that we have been provided an opportunity to lend our experiences and expertise in consulting on the plan for college athletics. I hope it gives you great comfort to know that we are advocating for our student-athletes and athletics program at all levels. We are also incredibly fortunate to have amazing university partners collaborating with us to preserve the promise of a world-class experience to our student-athletes.
The primary challenge in front us is “threading the needle” to align NCAA and Pac-12 Conference plans with county and state guidance while ensuring we operate in a manner that is also consistent with university policies. And though our focus is on our student-athletes, we must also reconcile the significant financial stress the pandemic has placed upon our athletics program, as well. We consider it our mandate to responsibly balance the off-field health of our student-athletes during this pandemic with their physical preparedness and on-field safety should the fall sports season begin as now planned.
Thank you for your belief, confidence, patience, and trust as we have navigated this extraordinary time. Our staff is working tirelessly on behalf of our student-athletes, coaches, donors, fans, and alumni. We will be stronger for having endured this challenge together as a Trojan Family.
Fight On!
– Mike
Friday, July 10, 2020
The Pac-12 Conference issued the following statement:
The Pac-12 CEO Group announced today that the fall season for several Pac-12 sports, including football, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball, would schedule Conference-only games, and that it is delaying the start of mandatory athletic activities, until a series of health and safety indicators, which have recently trended in a negative direction, provided sufficient positive data to enable a move to a second phase of return-to-play activities. The CEO Group made clear that it hopes to play football and all other fall sports provided that it can meet the health and safety needs of its student-athletes and obtain appropriate permissions from state and local health authorities. Today’s decision will result in the start dates for the impacted sports being delayed. The decision is effective immediately across all Pac-12 member universities and was made following a meeting of the Pac-12 CEO Group earlier today.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports continues to be our number one priority,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. “Our decisions have and will be guided by science and data, and based upon the trends and indicators over the past days, it has become clear that we need to provide ourselves with maximum flexibility to schedule, and to delay any movement to the next phase of return-to-play activities.”
“Competitive sports are an integral part of the educational experience for our student-athletes, and we will do everything that we can to support them in achieving their dreams while at the same time ensuring that their health and safety is at the forefront,” said Michael Schill, Pac-12 CEO Group Chair and President of the University of Oregon.
Pac-12 student-athletes who choose not to participate in intercollegiate athletics during the coming academic year because of safety concerns about COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarships honored by their university and will remain in good standing with their team.
The Pac-12 has developed a series of potential fall sport scheduling models including Conference-only schedules and delayed season starts. Details on Conference-only schedules will be announced no later than July 31.
USC athletic director Mike Bohn released a statement in response to the Pac-12’s decision:
— Mike Bohn (@USC_mikebohn) July 11, 2020
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
USC student-athletes will begin a phased return to campus for voluntary workouts beginning on June 24.
In partnership with USC’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sarah Van Orman and Director of Sports Medicine Dr. John Brodhead, USC developed a comprehensive health and safety plan that is compliant with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and approved by university administration. The plan follows NCAA and Pac-12 Conference recommendations and guidelines.
Student-athletes in the following sports will be included in the initial phases of the return to campus for voluntary workouts: football, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s water polo, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball.
Click Here for the full release
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
USC A.D. Mike Bohn regarding Pac-12 vote on May 26 to allow voluntary in-person athletic workouts as of June 15:
“Today’s announcement by the Pac-12 Conference, coupled with last week’s vote by the NCAA Division I Council, pave the way for USC Athletics to begin a phased return to campus for in-person, voluntary workouts in the weeks ahead. In preparation for these next steps, we have been working tirelessly to develop an athletics health and safety plan in coordination with university leadership, the Pac-12 Conference’s COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee, and state and local public health guidelines. With reopening processes beginning in states all around the country, today’s vote is another positive indicator of our progress toward the start of our football and other fall sports seasons. As this is a rapidly evolving situation, it is imperative that we move forward responsibly and with the utmost care for the health and safety of everyone connected to our program, while remaining in alignment with the university’s comprehensive ‘Project Restart’ effort.”
Monday, May 4, 2020
The USC Office of Athletic Compliance has ruled to cancel all sports camps and clinics for the summer of 2020.
USC athletic director Mike Bohn spoke with USC Athletics’ director Jordan Moore to provide additional updates. Topics addressed include working with other USC senior leadership, potential contingency plans, his hopes to playing the 2020 football season and Bohn’s commitment to keeping all 21 sports teams.
Click Here for the full interview.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
The popular “we FIGHT as ONe” T-shirts worn by USC student-athletes and coaches as inspiration during this challenging time will now be available to the public via an online pre-sale on Wednesday (April 22). A fleece hooded sweatshirt is also available.
With every T-shirt or sweatshirt purchased, USC Athletics and the USC Bookstore will donate the same item to the heroic healthcare workers at Keck Medicine of USC. In addition, for each sweatshirt purchased, USC will add a donated T-shirt to Keck’s healthcare workers.
The $21.95 T-shirts and $31.95 sweatshirt, in either grey or cardinal, can be purchased at www.uscbookstore.com/wefightasone. For free home shipping, use code USCFREESHIP2020. All proceeds support the production and donation of the shirts and sweatshirts.
More Information | Purchase Here
Friday, April 3, 2020
USC Athletics is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive on April 14 at the Galen Center to help maintain a stable blood supply during the coronavirus outbreak.
The blood drive will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are required. Free parking for those with confirmed donation appointments is available in Lot U on Flower Street on the southeast side of the Galen Center (accessible off Flower Street just south of the arena).
More Information | Schedule Appointment | Meal Distribution Volunteers Needed
Monday, March 30, 2020
The Pac-12 Conference issued an updated statement:
The Pac-12 announced today that following a meeting of its CEOs, it has made the decision to extend its previously announced suspension of organized team activities through May 31, with certain limited exceptions based upon student-athlete well-being, and with periodic re-evaluations over the coming weeks should circumstances warrant a change in policy.
Key elements of the suspension include the following:
- No organized, in-person team activities of any type;
- No in-person voluntary workouts, film study sessions, meetings, technique drills or practices of any type;
- Virtual or online supervised voluntary workouts and skill instruction are not permitted, regardless of location;
- Virtual group activities, including film study, are permitted to two (2) hours per week for football and four (4) hours per week for all other sports. We are appealing to the NCAA to increase the two-hour football limit in the near future;
- Coaches can recommend written, self-directed workout plans, and taped demonstration videos on workout plans are allowed in order to demonstrate proper form and technique;
- In-person, on-campus nutrition may be provided in circumstances where student-athletes are unable to leave campus, and off-campus nutrition is limited to distribution of products normally available on campus;
- It is fully permissible to provide non-athletically related support to student-athletes, including sports medicine treatments, physical therapy and rehabilitation; academic support; and mental health and wellness support; and
- It is permissible for institutions to provide off-campus student-athletes with apparel and personal equipment that is regularly available to student-athletes when they are on campus for conditioning workouts. It is not permissible to rent, purchase or arrange for conditioning or strength training equipment or machines.
A full copy of the Pac-12 policy can be found via the link here: Pac-12 Pandemic Policy (PDF)
The Pac-12 and its member universities will continue to make the health and well-being of student-athletes and all those associated with our athletic programs our number one priority. We also committed to doing our part to support our communities and to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Friday, March 27, 2020
USC athletic director Mike Bohn published a letter to the Trojan Family with updates on USC Athletics regarding COVID-19.
Monday, March 23, 2020
USC athletic director Mike Bohn appeared on the Trojans Live radio show to provide updates on USC Athletics regarding COVID-19.
The show also features head foootball coach Clay Helton, head men’s basketball coach Andy Enfield, beach volleyball senior Joy Dennis and head strength and conditioning coach Aaron Ausmus on how their sports have been affected.
Saturday, March 14, 2020
The Pac-12 Conference issued an updated statement:
At a meeting of the Pac-12 CEO Group and Athletic Directors earlier today, the Pac-12 made the decision to cancel all Pac-12 conference and non-conference sport competitions and Pac-12 championships through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year. This decision follows both the Pac-12’s earlier decision to suspend all sports until further notice, and the decision by the NCAA to cancel the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 NCAA basketball tournaments as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships.
In addition, the Pac-12 Conference has made the decision to prohibit all organized team athletically-related activities until at least March 29, at which time it will revisit this decision.
Thursday, March 12, 2020 (2:30pm PT)
In response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, earlier today USC Athletics department leadership implemented the following measures:
- All practices have been suspended until further notice
- All camps and clinics have been suspended until further notice
- All on-and off-campus recruiting and recruiting related travel has been suspended until further notice
- All non-essential athletics staff will be working remotely through Sunday, March 22, 2020, at which time it will be re-evaluated
Since then, the Pac-12 Conference announced that the 2020 Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament and all Pac-12 sport competitions and championships have been cancelled, until further notice. Additionally, the NCAA has also announced the cancellation of all winter and spring championships. These cancellations will extend to USC Athletics’ Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) sports as well.
Pac-12 statement on men’s basketball tournament, Pac-12 sport competitions & Pac-12 championship events: pic.twitter.com/HjJvki3LOT
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) March 12, 2020
“Our hearts ache for our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, fans, and all those affected throughout the world by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Director of Athletics Mike Bohn said. “The health, safety, and well-being of our student-athletes is always at the forefront of everything we do. Therefore, our university and athletics department support the decisions made today by the NCAA and the Pac-12 Conference. These are unprecedented days for all of us. I have communicated to our student-athletes that we are here to support them however we can. Our Trojan Family will be stronger for having endured these challenges together.”
As this is a rapidly evolving situation, USC Athletics will remain responsive to any new guidance received from the University, Pac-12, and NCAA. On Wednesday, March 11, 2020, USC announced the extension of the remote instruction period until at least Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
Specifically, USC Athletics will continue to take direction from the University and its Emergency Operations Center team that meets daily to assess the coronavirus situation and its effect on our campus and community, with recommendations from Los Angeles County health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As the situation surrounding the coronavirus constantly evolves, updates will be posted as they become available on USCTrojans.com, as well as on our Twitter (@USC_Athletics). Official messages and status updates from the University are available at usc.edu/coronavirus.
Thursday, March 12, 2019 (10:00am PT)
The Pac-12 Conference issued the following statement:
The Pac-12 Conference has made the decision to cancel the remainder of the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament and all Pac-12 sport competitions and Pac-12 Championship events, effective immediately, until further notice. This decision has been made in consultation with our member universities in an effort to limit the spread of the virus and in the interest of the health and safety of our student-athletes, campus personnel, working and event personnel, and all those who attend Pac-12 events.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
LOS ANGELES — USC Athletics has remained in regular communication with University and Pac-12 leadership to monitor developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). In response to decisions announced today by the University, USC Athletics will implement new attendance protocols for home competitions and events. The following measures will be in place effective Wednesday, March 11, 2020 through Sunday, March 29, 2020, at which time they will be re-evaluated:
- All USC home competitions and practices will occur as originally scheduled
- Attendance at all USC home athletic events will be limited (for both USC and its opponents) to:
- participating student-athletes
- coaches
- officials
- other essential personnel as designated by USC Athletics (i.e. team personnel, medical team, game management staff)
- student-athletes’ families
- media
- USC recruits
Note: this includes USC’s open spring football practices beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11.
Fans who already have purchased tickets to any affected competition can contact the USC Ticket Office at 213-740-GOSC (4672) with questions.
Three opponents who were scheduled to play at USC this week have cancelled their trips to Los Angeles: North Carolina State women’s tennis (March 13), Harvard men’s volleyball (March 14) and Stony Brook women’s lacrosse (March 15).
USC athletic teams’ will follow the University’s travel guidelines, which at this time allow for travel to road competitions as originally scheduled. We will accommodate student-athletes, coaches and staff who do not feel comfortable traveling or participating in team activities.
We regret that our fans will not be able to attend the affected home events and practices. However, many of those competitions will be shown live on Pac-12 Network or USCTrojans.com.
Please know that these measures were taken with an abundance of caution for the health and well-being of our campus community. USC Athletics will continue to take direction from the University and its Emergency Operations Center team that meets daily to assess the coronavirus situation and its effect on our campus and community, with recommendations from Los Angeles County health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We also are coordinating with the Pac-12. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this unusual time.
As the situation surrounding the coronavirus constantly evolves, updates will be posted as they become available on USCTrojans.com, as well as on our Twitter (@USC_Athletics). Official messages and status updates from the University are available at usc.edu/coronavirus.
Please keep in mind the following and do your part to keep our community safe:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
- Stay home if you are sick or have chronic breathing problems (including asthma, COPD, or emphysema).
USC Athletics continues to incorporate enhanced cleaning measures and public hygiene practices, including numerous hand sanitizing stations, at its athletic facilities.
Here are USC Athletics’ affected home events through March 29:
March 11
Beach Volleyball vs. Pepperdine and UCLA
Spring Football practice
Baseball vs. Xavier **
March 12
Spring Football practice
March 13
Baseball vs. Washington **
March 14
Spring Football practice
Women’s Water Polo vs. California **
Baseball vs. Washington **
March 15
Women’s Water Polo vs. Indiana **
Baseball vs. Washington **
March 17
Men’s Tennis vs. Texas **
March 20
Women’s Tennis vs. Washington State **
March 21
Women’s Rowing vs. San Diego State
Women’s Tennis vs. Washington **
March 24
Spring Football practice
March 26
Spring Football practice
Men’s Volleyball vs. BYU **
March 27
Men’s Tennis vs. Stanford **
Women’s Lacrosse vs. Oregon **
Baseball vs. Arizona **
March 28
Spring Football practice
Men’s Tennis vs. California **
Baseball vs. Arizona **
Men’s Volleyball vs. Stanford *
March 29
Women’s Lacrosse vs. Colorado **
Baseball vs. Arizona **
*Live on Pac-12 Network
**Live streamed on USCTrojans.com
