TCU and Cal discussing contingency plans for football season opener in California
The plan remains for TCU to open its football season at Cal on Sept. 5, but alternative options are being discussed by the schools’ athletic departments.
TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati reached out to Cal athletic director Jim Knowlton this week to at least start the conversation of contingency plans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have talked and agreed that we need to look at all potential options with regards to our scheduled game,” Donati said. “We both have every intention of playing and I expect the situation will become clear in the next 30-45 days.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said earlier this month he didn’t expect full football stadiums to open in August or September. In Los Angeles, there are talks of suspending large-scale events such as concerts and sporting events until 2021.
But even though Cal is located, in the city of Berkeley and Alameda County, it sounds like similar restrictions could come in place. Alameda County supervisor Wilma Chan said last week that sports fans in the county and Bay Area should not expect to be attending sporting events anytime soon.
“I don’t think we’re going to be going to football games or Warriors games in the near future,” Chan said last week, according to the East Bay Citizen.
That, of course, would include the scheduled Cal-TCU game on Sept. 5. An option may be hosting the game without fans, or changing venues.
Donati said it’s too early to talk about switching the location of the game but, if necessary, the schools would be willing to go down that route.
“We’re both willing to look at other viable options,” Donati said. “Our conversations will be ongoing throughout the spring and summer.
“Everything is on the table.”
Of course, before the date and location concerns are addressed, the first step is ensuring that football can be played this fall. It must be deemed safe enough for players to return to campus and engage in physical activity such as football.
Whenever that is approved, then players will need at least 45-60 days to go through a strength and conditioning program, as well as a training camp, before the season starts.
Travel restrictions
TCU announced Tuesday that it is suspending all university-sponsored domestic and international travel until Aug. 1 amid the pandemic.
How that could impact recruiting-type trips for TCU coaches is unclear at this point. The school plans to re-evaluate its policies once the NCAA lifts its recruiting ban, which is through May 31 for the time being.
“We’ll re-evaluate if it is safe for our coaches to travel,” Donati said. “That has not been determined.”
