Thomas University cancels fall sports
Post Published On:Thomas University, which competes in the Sun Conference in the NAIA, will not participate in fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For TU those sports include men’s and women’s soccer and cross country.
“We decided out of an abundance of caution that it was not in the best interest of our student athletes to compete in sports at this time,” said Rick Pearce, TU’s Athletics Director. “The health and safety of our student athletes is what’s most important.”
All TU fall sports athletes who choose to live in one of TU’s three residence halls will move in on Saturday, Aug. 1, and then quarantine for two weeks. No guests will be allowed in any on-campus housing. Those student athletes who do live on campus or in the area will begin training after the quarantine ends. Students not involved in fall athletic teams will move in on Aug. 15.
“Even though they may not be competing, we want to make sure they stay in shape and are ready when competition does resume,” Pearce said. “Any student athlete on scholarship will still receive that scholarship as long as they are still enrolled as students at TU.”
Classes begin on Aug. 17. University administrators decided in June that all classes, except for a few classes that require hands-on instruction, such as labs, will be held in a synchronous online format. In situations where hands-on instruction is required, students and faculty will be socially distanced and wear gloves and masks. Ten or fewer students will be enrolled in those classes.
Personnel in other offices continue to work mostly from home but may be on campus as needed. Campus buildings will be regularly cleaned with enhanced sanitizing and disinfecting procedures. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance to each building.
Additional information about TU’s reopening plan is available at thomasu.edu/coronavirus-covid-19.
