BYU To Reopen Athletic Training Facilities Beginning June 1st

PROVO, Utah – BYU Athletics announced Friday afternoon that training facilities on the Provo campus would begin reopening on June 1 under a “multiphase plan.”

Athletic venues and activities have been suspended at the faith-based institution since March 12th amid the spread of COVID-19.

From BYU’s press release, “In accordance with the new NCAA Division I Council directive, and consistent with recent guidelines outlined by the state in Utah Leads Together, BYU football and men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes will have the option to utilize select university athletic training facilities beginning Monday, June 1, under the supervision of the BYU training staff. The plan accounts for incorporating additional student-athletes from other teams in subsequent phases, subject to future NCAA directives.”

Earlier this week the NCAA announced that voluntary activities for football and men’s and women’s basketball programs could begin on June 1st. BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe stated last Saturday that when sports “kick back in,” BYU would be “ready to go.”

“We have worked closely with the University leadership, medical professionals, training staff and coaches to prepare a comprehensive plan for our student-athletes to begin participating in voluntary activities in select athletic facilities,” said BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe. “The multiphase plan provides opportunities for our student-athletes to resume some of the workout routines typical of this time of year.”

Passing electronic symptom checks, physical distancing, and appropriate use of face coverings will be utilized by the institution to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

What’s Next

One of the important decisions that BYU will need to make in the near future is how fall semester classes will be handled. The school stated earlier this week that a decision on the arrangement for the fall semester could come as late as July.

The NCAA said earlier this month if classes are online-only on campuses, sports should not be played. Many schools, including fellow faith-based institution Notre Dame, have moved up their fall semester schedule to prevent students from being on campus after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Impact on BYU Football

No changes have been made to the BYU football schedule for the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. BYU is scheduled to open the season at rival Utah on Thursday, September 3 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan said in a recent interview with KSL’s UnRivaled that he keeps in close touch with BYU’s Tom Holmoe about the game.

“Tom Holmoe and I talk quite a bit,” Harlan said. “We have been sharing best practices with each other and certainly, our hope is that we play that football game.”

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.