sports
PAGE 8 | WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM
GAC announces return-toplay protocols for sports BY RYAN YORK Staff Writer
Sophomore Blythe Epp operates a baseline camera during the men’s basketball game against Harding University on Jan. 23. As part of OSDN’s crew, Epp had to complete a health screening before being allowed to work the game. (photo by Levi Dade)
In early December, the Great American Conference (GAC) announced return-to-play protocols approved by its Council of Presidents. The protocols came into action in January at the start of the league’s basketball season. The council has decided to not allow fans to attend any sporting events. As the season progresses, the council members will reconsider whether it is safe for fans to attend games. However, the venues will only be allowed to seat 25% of their full capacity. Though the CDC’s recommendation for safe social distancing is six feet, the league plans to utilize a 12-foot buffer zone between fans and all athletes and gameday staff. To be eligible for the GAC championship, teams will need to compete in 50% of their scheduled games. Additionally, teams are required to have seven healthy players in order to play in those games. If a team has six or fewer players available to participate in a game because of positive COVID tests or contact tracing they cannot participate, resulting in a cancellation. Athletes and team staff members are required to complete a health screening before they are allowed in locker rooms or other parts of an athletic facility. During games, athletes and gameday staff are required to wear face coverings properly. When actively participating in a game, players and officials are not required to wear their masks. Coaches and players not actively involved in the game must wear their masks at all times. Junior basketball player Jacob Street was able to play in Ouachita’s first home basketball game on
Jan. 23, and it was definitely a different experience than what he is used to. “It’s very odd with no fans allowed at the games. There’s no one in the gym rooting for you except you and your teammates, so that adds a new element of having to bring your own energy to the game for every possession,” Street said. “I think the GAC has done a good job thus far trying to keep us as safe as possible and we have already had to quarantine once this season, so we are hoping to stay on campus for the remainder of the season.” In addition to the coaches, trainers and other athletic staff and officials, anyone working with the athletics department or the Ouachita Sports Digital Network (OSDN) was required to wear a mask at all times during the game and to socially distance as best as possible. The OSDN crew had to complete a health screening before they were allowed to work during the game, and the four camera operators inside the gym were required to have no symptoms of COVID. “Normally, no one really pays attention to the media crew, but this time I had to fill out a health questionnaire and have my temperature taken before I was cleared to stay and work the game,” senior communications major Caity Hatchett said. This basketball season will consist of only 20 divisional games, which started on Jan. 7. Other sports will also see shortened schedules, and many non-conference games have been canceled. As each sport’s season progresses, it will be interesting to see the evolution of these return-to-play protocols and to see how each team manages with the ever-growing list of postponed or canceled games.
