Baby steps: Pac-12 joins peer conferences in allowing players to return for workouts

The Pac-12 announced Tuesday that voluntary, on-campus workouts for athletes could begin as soon as June 15, “subject to the decision of each individual campus and where permissible by relevant governmental entities.”

The move comes with the conference-wide suspension of team activities expiring May 31 and follows return-to-campus decisions by other leagues, including the SEC, which will allow workouts beginning June 8.

Pac-12 presidents, athletic directors and conference officials have been in constant contact with a medical advisory committee, which includes public health and infectious disease experts.

The conference provided a detailed summary of the protocols and procedures for athletes to return to campus and to the athletic facilities.

“As educational institutions, our highest obligation is to the health and welfare of our students, faculty, and staff,” said Colorado chancellor Phil DiStefano, chair of the Pac-12 CEO Group, said in a news release.

“As we considered the pros and cons of taking steps that can pave a path to returning to play, those considerations were foremost, guided by the advice of our own medical experts along with public health officials.”

The opening of facilities is the first step in a rapidly-widening path to the season starting on time and sets the stage for training camp to begin in late July.

The move follows a vital, broader development: Tentative plans by universities to open campuses for fall instruction after shutting down for the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Academic activity, even in a hybrid model, is essential for the presidents to approve athletic competition for the fall.

While many fans and media outlets have been skeptical of the Pac-12’s ability — or willingness — to keep pace with its peers on the road to restarting, the conference has, to this point, tracked other Power Fives.

NCAA
Voluntary workouts permitted: no earlier than June 1

ACC
Voluntary workouts permitted: at the discretion of the school

Big 12
Voluntary workouts permitted: beginning June 15

Big Ten
Voluntary workouts permitted: at the discretion of the school

Pac-12
Voluntary workouts permitted: beginning June 15

SEC
Voluntary workouts permitted: beginning June 8

Two factors — one long haul and one immediate — are at the heart of this initial step:

Long haul: The deep dependence on football revenue as the primary funding source for athletic departments.

Immediate: The health of the athletes.

The presidents, athletic directors and coaches believe working out on campus is safer than in a local gym.

“As states have either already opened or begin to open up access to parks, gyms and other training facilities, student-athletes should have the option at this time to be in, what for many, will be a much safer environment on campus, where they can have access to the best available health, well-being and training support,” commissioner Larry Scott said.

Within the Pac-12, there is a wide range of state restrictions and, at a more granular level, a disparity on the use of gyms and fitness centers.

Those dates will help frame the return-to-campus dates for players.

Arizona
Gyms: Allowed to open May 13

California
Gyms: Closed

Colorado
Gyms: Closed

Oregon
Gyms: Allowed to open May 15

Utah
Gyms: Allowed to open May 1

Washington
Gyms: Closed

The next step: A decision on training camp, which is expected in late June.

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