As its men’s and women’s basketball teams prepare for a return to competition, GW Athletics will keep health and safety at the forefront, following guidelines set forth by national, District of Columbia, university, NCAA and Atlantic 10 health officials. The measures include protocols for testing, travel and gameday operations for student-athletes, coaches and staff, as well as officials.
“Our priority is to protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and the entire university community,” noted Director of Athletics Tanya Vogel. “We will adhere to extensive health and safety measures in every aspect of our operation.”
GW plans to implement the recommendations set forth this fall by the NCAA Sport Science Institute, in partnership with the NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group. Universal masking and physical distancing are the rule except in the competition or medical care areas, and there are specific guidelines in place to ensure proper cleaning and disinfecting of the venue before, during and after competition, as well as the layout of the team benches, scorer’s table and locker rooms to allow for physical distancing.
All individuals necessary to host a basketball game have been divided into three tiers.
Tier 1 personnel constituting the program’s “inner bubble,” including student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and physical therapists, medical staff, equipment staff and officials will be tested three times per week on non-consecutive days throughout the duration of the season. If any Tier 1 individual becomes infected, the entire team, including coaching staff and other essential Tier 1 personnel based on contact tracing, will quarantine for 14 days, and competition will be halted in that time frame. On game days, these individuals are advised to wear face coverings when not on the court and to adhere to physical distancing whenever possible.
Tier 2 individuals, encompassing team and event staff, will maintain physical distance and universal masking while performing their jobs and must have any interaction with Tier 1 individuals approved with all parties masked and practicing physical distancing. This group will be subject to weekly testing.
The final group, Tier 3, includes individuals who provide event services but are not in the same vicinity with Tier 1 individuals, such as certain operational staff and media. They will be required to remain masked and practice physical distancing at all times with their contact with Tier 2 limited wherever possible.
In coordination with D.C.’s COVID plan for Phases 1-3, all games contested within D.C. must be held without spectators and for broadcast only. In the current Phase 2, personnel allowed inside venues are limited to those who facilitate broadcasting, with physical distancing and PPE required.
When traveling, GW will continue to evaluate the current data regarding the risks and considerations related to travel. These considerations include, among others, travel protocols that maximize the opportunity for physical distancing and call for universal masking for all individuals traveling; the availability of travel by private car, van, chartered bus or chartered plane; proper communication of all travel rules, protocols and expectations to everyone in the travel party; prepackaged meals, room service, takeout and outdoor dining options as alternatives to inside restaurant dining; and, when feasible, traveling and playing on the same day to avoid overnight stays. In addition, GW will restrict the size of travel parties as much as possible to essential personnel only.