Emporia State University says it’s pausing athletics practices until further notice to make sure a recent outbreak of coronavirus doesn’t spread elsewhere.
Associate Athletic Director and Head of Media Relations Don Weast confirmed this week’s total number of COVID-19 cases is at 14 out of 400 total student-athletes and does not include a handful of athletes who developed coronavirus before the fall semester began. On KVOE’s 7:05 am newscast Thursday, Weast said it’s unlikely the cases resulted from full practices that officially started this week and voluntary workouts that started earlier.
ESU will continue its random testing procedures at this time, meaning everybody should be tested at least once a month. Weast says the university may allow all teams to resume practices or it may let some teams get back to normal while others remain on hold. Player and academic meetings will also continue because those can be socially distanced.
With fall sports not taking place, Emporia State and the MIAA are looking at the prospect of having winter sports. Weast says the MIAA will make a decision by Oct. 1.
Greg Rahe will have more on this story in his sportscasts and online at KVOE.com.
