BYU AD Tom Holmoe ‘Encouraged’ By NCAA Approving Summer Athletics Activities

PROVO, Utah – BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe issued a statement on behalf of BYU Athletics after the NCAA announced on Wednesday plans for summer activities to resume in college athletics amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The summer activity plan announced by the NCAA was headlined by a six-week plan for preseason football practices.

BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe statement regarding NCAA Division I Council approval of summer athletics activities and preseason practice

We are encouraged by the NCAA Division I Council’s announcements today approving summer athletics activities and … (1/3) pic.twitter.com/ZDHOCBLFN5

— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) June 18, 2020

“We are encouraged by the NCAA Division I Council’s announcements today approving summer athletics activities and preseason practice for the upcoming 2020-21 athletic season. As we did previously with the return to campus for voluntary workouts, we are developing plans for our student-athletes to begin countable athletically related activities this summer as outlined by the NCAA.

“We’ll continue to work with university leaders and government officials to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely as we make preparations for the coming season.”

BYU football kicks off the 2020 season on Thursday, September 3rd against rival Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. Under the NCAA’s announced plans for preseason practice plan, BYU can conduct up to eight hours of weight training, conditioning, and film review per week starting on July 11th. Two days earlier than teams who kick off their season on the first Saturday of the 2020 regular season on September 5th.

DI Council approves football preseason model: https://t.co/dDIPVG1GCO pic.twitter.com/R7fUesil44

— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) June 17, 2020

For men’s and women’s basketball programs, student-athletes can continue participating in voluntary athletic activities along with eight hours of virtual nonphysical activities through July 19th. Beginning July 20th, required summer athletic activities may begin and can last up to eight weeks or until the school’s first day of classes.

Phase Three of BYU’s voluntary workouts begin next week

When the NCAA has made announcements that allow student-athletes back on campus and in team facilities. BYU has been one of the first in the country to respond.

Back on June 1st, BYU began opening up facilities for select programs that included football and men’s basketball as part of a multiphase opening for student-athletes on campus. June 15th marked the beginning of phase two which opened facilities for women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, and gymnastics to start voluntary workouts.

Next Monday on June 22nd, the third and final phase will go into effect when the remainder of BYU’s sports teams are anticipated to start voluntary workouts on June 22nd.

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.