UPDATE; November 14, 2020
ACC Updates Winter Sports Safety Standards Within its Medical Advisory Group Report
GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Friday the updated protocols for winter sports within the league's Medical Advisory Group Report. The report specifically addresses enhanced safety standards and testing measures in basketball, wrestling and low transmission risk sports.
"The ACC's Medical Advisory Group, in conjunction with our campus administrators and student-athletes, continues to do outstanding work to provide a safe environment in which our teams can compete," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "I applaud all of our student-athletes as they continue to persevere through these challenging times."
The ACC's Medical Advisory Group has been meeting weekly since the spring to share information on the impact of COVID-19 on ACC campuses and intercollegiate athletics. The first MAG report was released on July 29 (
ACC Announces Plans for Football and Fall Olympic Sports) and enhanced on Aug. 28 (
ACC Enhances Safety Standards Within its Medical Advisory Group). The MAG report outlines minimum standards for each campus to follow in the areas of testing, reporting positive test results, and protocols for cleaning and sanitizing competition areas.
Friday's updated MAG Report calls for all team members, and those in close contact with the teams in men's and women's basketball and wrestling, to be tested three times each week on non-consecutive days. One molecular (PCR) test must be administered within three days of the first competition of the week. The visiting team must have results from the test performed within three days prior to the competition before the team travels to the site. A test shall also be administered within 48 hours of the conclusion of a game and may be either a molecular (PCR) or antigen test.
Men's and women's basketball officials will be required to test three times per week and will undergo symptom and temperature checks upon arrival at the venue. Any personnel seated at the scorer's table(s) must complete a symptom and temperature check upon arrival at the venue and wear a face covering at all times. Wrestling officials shall be tested once per week.
While in season, any team member who leaves the institution for more than three days (ex. NCAA-mandated holiday break), must quarantine for 24 hours upon return to campus. During quarantine, team members will be tested with a molecular (PCR) test and may return to practice if, and when, the result is negative. In addition, team members must record a second negative test (either PCR or antigen) prior to the first competition following the break.
In low transmission risk sports, all team members must be tested once per week during weeks in which there is competition. The test must be a molecular (PCR) test and completed within three calendar days of the first competition of the week. During weeks in which the sport does not compete, testing should follow the institution's plan for all students following local, state and national health guidance. Additional testing may be conducted at the institution's discretion. Any table officials in those sports are required to wear a face mask.
As previously announced, every student-athlete who tests positive will undergo a cardiac evaluation that includes an electrocardiogram, a troponin test and an echocardiogram before a phased return to exercise.
In addition to the updated ACC MAG report, the ACC has significantly adjusted its 2020-21 Men's and Women's Basketball Game Management protocols. Specifically, there must be a minimum of 15 feet separating the general public and the areas on the court occupied by essential personnel (team bench/scorer's table, etc.). Individuals deemed essential to have access within the 15-foot perimeter will be required to meet specific and consistent health and safety standards as agreed upon by all 15 schools, including a temperature screening, symptom check, physical distancing and masking.
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UPDATE: November 10, 2020
DURHAM, N.C. – Due to the impact of COVID-19, Duke University will begin its winter sport program seasons without spectators at home events, extending a policy that was in place during the fall seasons.
"As Duke University continues to be an industry leader per providing a safe environment for intercollegiate athletic competition, the decision to maintain our non-spectator protocol is imperative for the overall health and safety of the Blue Devil fan base, student-athletes, coaches and support staff, notwithstanding the immediate campus population comprised of students, faculty and staff," said Vice President and Director of Athletics
Kevin White. "We will continue to embrace the challenges of this unique if not unprecedented time with flexibility and compliance, and can't begin to thank our dedicated, passionate fans enough for their unbridled support."
Contests played on Duke's campus will include only essential game management personnel and broadcast media. Traditional parking lots used by fans on game day will be closed.
Account representatives will be contacting individuals who placed deposits on women's basketball season tickets regarding options.
The men's basketball schedule was announced earlier today (
LINK), while schedules for women's basketball, fencing, swimming & diving, indoor track & field and wrestling are still being finalized.
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UPDATE: September 8, 2020
"The ACC's principal priority as we approach fall competition is the mental and physical wellbeing of our student-athletes. At each of our member institutions, our athletic directors and coaches have had conversations with student-athletes about returning to competition and attendant risks. After listening to our student-athletes, and considering the further advice of our Medical Advisory Group, the Atlantic Coast Conference continues to proceed with its plans for competition in fall sports. The majority of our student-athletes have indicated they wish to compete if public health permits, and that they have worked hard to enable themselves to compete safely. Any student-athlete must and will be able to choose not to compete at any time this season without losing scholarship support, and the decision to compete or not compete will not cost the student a season of eligibility.
"The public health situation is dynamic and uneven in the United States and at our member institutions. The ACC will regularly monitor the changing situation and is prepared at any time to adjust schedules and games to reflect changes in that situation. The ACC will also respect the decisions of individual schools as they continually assess the public health situation affecting their students and communities. As it has done all year, the ACC will carefully reevaluate the public health needs as we go along, relying on public health expertise and putting the health and safety of our surrounding communities at the center of our decision-making."
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UPDATE: August 28, 2020
GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today several enhancements to the protocols within the league's Medical Advisory Group Report. Increased testing and additional cardiac evaluation standards are two specific areas that have been refined in the report.
As was previously announced, the ACC's Medical Advisory Group has been meeting weekly since the spring to share information on the impact of COVID-19 on ACC campuses and intercollegiate athletics. The MAG report was first released on July 29 (ACC Announces Plans for Football and Fall Olympic Sports) and outlined minimum standards for each campus to follow in the areas of testing, reporting positive test results, and protocols for cleaning and sanitizing competition areas.
The updated Medical Advisory Group Report calls for all team members in football, field hockey, men's and women's soccer and volleyball to be tested three times each week beginning with the week of the first competition this fall. One molecular (PCR) test must be administered within three days of the day of competition. In football, one test must be performed the day before competition and another within 48 hours of the conclusion of the game. The test administered the day before competition will be conducted by a third party, selected by the ACC Office.
The updated report also specifies that every student-athlete who tests positive will undergo a cardiac evaluation that includes an electrocardiogram, a troponin test and an echocardiogram before a phased return to exercise.
In addition to the ACC MAG report, the ACC has significantly adjusted its 2020 Football Operations and Game Management protocols to eliminate all non-essential personnel from the sidelines and team auxiliary areas. Individuals that are deemed essential to have access to the sidelines will be required to meet specific and consistent health and safety standards as agreed upon by all 15 schools, including a temperature screening, symptom check, physical distancing and universal masking.
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UPDATE: August 24, 2020
DURHAM, N.C. – Due to the impact of COVID-19, Duke University will begin its fall sport program seasons without spectators at home events.
"To be sure, our venues will not be the same without our passionate, energetic fan base," said Vice President and Director of Athletics
Kevin White. "Given the unique and challenging circumstances, this determination was reached with the health and safety of our fans, student-athletes, coaches and staff at the forefront. As this evolving process continues, it is imperative to be both adaptable and compliant in anticipation of hosting fans in the near future."
Contests played on Duke's campus will include essential game management personnel and broadcast media. Traditional parking lots used by fans on game day will be closed.
Fans who have purchased season and single-game tickets for the upcoming football season or have seating and suite contracts in Blue Devil Tower will receive email correspondence regarding options.
Despite the attendance constraints for football games, Duke fans have an opportunity to support the team at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium with a "fan cutout" of an individual(s) or pet(s). Several different packages are available and include stadium location options, weekly prize drawings and the ability to have the cutout autographed by head coach
David Cutcliffe. Images placed in the seats will help replicate the game day atmosphere in the stadium as well as provide an enhanced visual presence for the television audience. Proceeds from sales will go directly to Duke Athletics to support our student-athletes during these unprecedented times. For more information, visit
GoDuke.com/DukeCutout.
Information regarding the virtual fan experience for football games at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium will be available at a later date.
The Blue Devil football team opens the home portion of the 2020 schedule against Boston College on Saturday, September 19. Amended schedules for Duke's men's cross country, women's cross country, field hockey, men's soccer, women's soccer and volleyball teams have yet to be released.
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UPDATE: August 11, 2020
Statement from the Atlantic Coast Conference:
"The ACC will continue to make decisions based on medical advice, inclusive of our Medical Advisory Group, local and state health guidelines, and do so in a way that appropriately coincides with our universities' academic missions. The safety of our students, staff and overall campus communities will always be our top priority, and we are pleased with the protocols being administrated on our 15 campuses. We will continue to follow our process that has been in place for months and has served us well. We understand the need to stay flexible and be prepared to adjust as medical information and the landscape evolves."
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UPDATE: July 29, 2020
GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference recognizes the uncertain and challenging environment all areas of our society are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Intercollegiate athletics is just one area that we must address as we work to return to our campuses, bring back students and faculty when possible, and pursue our academic missions and goals as part of higher education. The health, safety and well-being of all our campus constituents is at the forefront of all decisions.
With this in mind, the ACC Board of Directors announced that if public health guidance allows, all seven ACC sponsored fall sports will begin competition during the week of Sept. 7-12. The announcement follows several months of discussion and scenario planning among the league membership and Medical Advisory Group. Each decision is based on the best available medical guidelines and coincides with our universities' academic missions.
"As we look ahead to the fall, the safety of our students, staff and overall campus community continues to be our top priority," said Kent
Syverud, Chancellor of Syracuse University and the Chair of the ACC Board of Directors. "Today's announcement outlines a specific path for ACC fall sports to return to intercollegiate athletic competition using comprehensive protocols put forward by our ACC Medical Advisory Group. As a league, we understand the need to stay flexible and be prepared to adjust as medical information evolves in conjunction with local and state health guidelines."
"Today's decision was made after months of thoughtful planning by numerous individuals throughout the conference," said ACC Commissioner John
Swofford. "The Board's decision presents a path, if public health guidance allows, to move forward with competition. Our institutions are committed to taking the necessary measures to facilitate the return in a safe and responsible manner. We recognize that we may need to be nimble and make adjustments in the future. We will be as prepared as possible should that need arise."
The ACC's Medical Advisory Group, which has been meeting weekly since the spring to share information on the impact of COVID-19 on ACC campuses and intercollegiate athletics, has recommended minimum standards for each campus to follow as fall sports return. Among those recommendations are weekly testing for close contact sports, standards for reporting positive test results, and protocols for cleaning and sanitizing competition areas. The full report is available on theACC.com.
Information specific to 2020 competition for both football and the league's Olympic Sports is included below. The league's leadership, and its medical advisory group, will continue to meet on a weekly basis to share information and discuss medical issues related to the ACC's return to play. Should any future adjustments be necessary, the ACC Board of Directors will do so at the appropriate time.
ACC Football:
• The season's first games will take place the week of Sept. 7-12
• The 2020 scheduling model includes 11 games (10 plus one: 10 conference and one non-conference)
• All non-conference game opponents, selected by the respective school, must be played in the home state of the ACC institution, and all non-conference opponents must meet the medical protocol requirements as agreed upon by the ACC
• The 11 games will be played over at least 13 weeks with each team having two open dates
• There will be one division
• Notre Dame will also play a 10-game conference schedule and be eligible to compete in the 2020 ACC Football Championship Game
• All television revenue for the 2020 season, including Notre Dame's home games broadcast by NBC, will be shared equally by all 15 institutions
• The ACC Football Championship Game will be played on either December 12 or 19 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will feature the top two teams based upon highest conference-game winning percentage
• All 15 teams will continue to be part of the ACC's bowl selection process; should Notre Dame win the ACC Football Championship Game they would be eligible for the Orange Bowl, if not selected as a College Football Playoff semifinal team
• The 2020 ACC Football week-by-week schedule and television selections will be released in the future
ACC Fall Olympic Sports:
• Fall Olympic Sports competition may begin on Thursday, Sept. 10
• Team sports will play a conference schedule that meets the NCAA minimum amount of games: field hockey (6), women's soccer (6), men's soccer (6) and volleyball (10)
• Schools will continue to schedule regular season cross country competitions at their discretion
• Any additional games against conference opponents or non-conference opponents are at the respective school's discretion and all opponents must meet the ACC's medical standards
• Any additional games against conference opponents that are beyond the conference-mandated schedules would not count in the ACC standings
• The schedule for ACC Fall Championships
• The cross country championships will be held at
WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. on October 30, and include all fifteen member schools
• The field hockey championship will be held at Duke University on November 5, 6 and 8
• The women's soccer championship will include the top four teams and be held at
WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. on November 6 and 8, as previously announced
• The men's soccer championship will include the top four teams and be held at
WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. on November 13 and 15
• Television selections via the ACC's partnership with ESPN and ACC Network will be made in the future
ACC Winter and Spring Olympic Sports:
• Competition in the sports of swimming and diving, indoor track and field and fencing will be postponed until at least September 10
• Fall competition in the sports of men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, rowing, men's and women's lacrosse, softball and baseball has been canceled
• Student-athletes in golf and tennis continue to be eligible to compete unattached
• Teams in all sports may continue practice at their institution's discretion
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UPDATE: July 9, 2020 // ACC Release
Greensboro, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today that each of its fall Olympic Sports will delay the start of competition until at least September 1. The decision allows each campus to further focus on ensuring return to competition protocols are in place to facilitate the resocialization process.
The delay in competition includes all exhibition and non-conference games in the sports of men's and women's cross country, field hockey, men's and women's soccer and volleyball.
The decision was unanimously approved by the ACC Board of Directors.
ACC institutions will continue with their respective return to competition protocols in anticipation of a fall season. Any rescheduling of contests will also be determined by each school.
The league continues to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on fall schedules and competitions with the understanding that there may be future changes, and that the priority remains the health and safety of our student-athletes.
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UPDATE: March 17, 2020 // ACC Release
DURHAM, N.C. – In conjunction with an announcement today from the Atlantic Coast Conference, Duke University announced Tuesday the cancellation of all athletic events and practices through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. The decision was made to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19.
The cancellation applies to all athletic competitions and practices for the health and safety of all who are essential to these activities. Duke had previously announced the suspension of all athletics events for the foreseeable future.
Duke University and Duke Athletics will convey additional information, when available, via its social media channels and GoDuke.com.
Statement from ACC Commissioner John Swofford:
"Our top priority remains the health and safety of our student-athletes as well as our fans, communities and the overall well-being of others during these uncharted times. We are particularly disappointed for our student-athletes and will continue to work with our membership to assess what is appropriate in the future."
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March 12, 2020 // Duke University Release
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University has suspended all athletic competition for the foreseeable future, effective immediately, in response to COVID-19. The announcement was made Thursday by President Vincent E. Price, in conjunction with guidance from public health experts and Duke Athletics leadership.
The suspension applies to all athletic competitions and practices for the health and safety of all who are essential to these activities. This suspension also applies to any camps and clinics sponsored by Duke's intercollegiate athletic programs.
Duke University and Duke Athletics will convey additional information, when available, via its social media channels and
GoDuke.com.
Statement from Duke President Vincent E. Price:
"We are taking this action to protect the safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and others who are essential to these activities. I know it is a great disappointment to our student-athletes and coaches, whose hard work and dedication to their sports and Duke is inspirational to so many, but we must first look out for their health and well-being. This is clearly an unprecedented moment for our university, our region and the wider world. As we take steps to confront the spread of this virus, I'm grateful for the cooperation and support of the entire Duke community."
Statement from Duke Director of Athletics Kevin White:
"During this unpredictable time, Duke Athletics fully supports all measures to protect the health and welfare of the Duke family and beyond. While we understand this may be daunting to many, please know that this decision is entirely in the best interest of all student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans."
Statement from Duke Head Men's Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski:
"We emphatically support the decision made by Dr. Price today regarding the suspension of athletic competition at Duke. The welfare of our student-athletes, and all students at Duke, is paramount, and this decision reflects that institutional priority. Certainly, I want to applaud Dr. Price, who took a leadership role with his presidential peers and the Atlantic Coast Conference in arriving at this decision."
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