Pac-12 Conference Announces COVID-19 Testing Initiative In Hopes Of Sports’ ‘Speedy Return’

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Pac-12 Conference announced a partnership with Quidel Corporation, a diagnostic test leader, in order to carry out daily COVID-19 tests for its student-athletes that participate in “all close-contact sports.”

The two parties announced the agreement on Thursday, September 3.

The conference said that the venture is a “major step toward the safe return of sports competition in the Pac-12.”

“This is a major step toward the safe resumption of Pac-12 sport competitions,” Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said in statement. “The availability of a reliable test that can be administered daily, with almost immediate results, addresses one of the key concerns that was expressed by our medical advisory committee, as well as by student-athletes, coaches and others. At the same time, our partnership with Quidel, the industry leader in point-of-care antigen testing, will provide crucial research data that will benefit our members’ communities as well as the entire country.”

Today we've announced a groundbreaking COVID-19 testing research initiative with Quidel Corporation. Learn more below.

📎: https://t.co/D1Tppj5FKZ#BackThePac

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 3, 2020

The conference added the partnership with Quidel will “provide for frequent testing with rapid results, which had been one of the key concerns in the prior decision by the Pac-12 to postpone sport competition.”

During a conference call on September 3, Scott said that Quidel’s testing allows for the conference’s school to conduct testing at school facilities and results are produced within 15 minutes.

Scott added that while the daily testing and research is an important step in returning to play, there are many other considerations that will affect sports’ return, including government factors.

The commissioner said while the conference’s current position is to not play any sports until at least January 1, 2021, he hopes the project allows for sports like basketball to return quicker.

When asked about the possibility of playing football this fall, Scott said he’s “hopeful” that it could be played before the end of the year.

According to Larry Scott, at this moment the @pac12conf will not begin any athletics until after January 1, but hopes for a pathway to develop so that they can begin sooner with the testing partnership. The conference is pushing the NCAA to delay basketball season.

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2020

In addition to the rapid results, the Pac-12 said the testing will decrease the amount of contact traces required.

“We are pleased to participate in this innovative arrangement that will help protect Pac-12 student-athletes and allow them to return to play while contributing to further understanding of the COVID-19 virus that will benefit all of society,” Quidel president and CEO Douglas Bryant said in a statement. “With its well-established medical research program, the Pac-12 is an ideal partner to help us develop and document the most effective coronavirus testing protocol to serve our families and communities.”

During the same conference call, Bryant stated that this would be the largest asymptomatic studies yet.

Along with the testing, the partnership will be one of the largest studies yet of asymptomatic testing. @QuidelDX @pac12conf

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 3, 2020

The Pac-12 expects Quidel’s testing machines and tests to be delivered to each of the athletic departments for each member of the conference by the end of September.