How the first day of voluntary workouts went for TCU’s football program
The TCU football program officially started voluntary workouts on Monday, the first day allowed to do so by the Big 12.
Athletic director Jeremiah Donati has been pleased with the early results. The school took a phased approach in bringing guys back on campus over the last week.
“It’s gone really smooth so far,” Donati said on Monday afternoon. “We wanted to do it in phases, that was the medical advice we got, so we were processing about 20 guys a day to do testing and physicals if we needed to.”
Donati refused to share COVID-19 testing results and if any players had tested positive, simply saying: “Testing has gone great.”
Donati stressed that the department is educating the athletes as much as possible on the importance of social distancing, wearing face coverings and washing hands as often as possible.
“We’ve told them, ‘Look, the healthiest teams are going to have the chance to win the most games this year,’” Donati said. “It’s critical we do as much as we can to stay as healthy as possible.
“We also know there will be positive tests and we’re fully prepared to manage those.”
TCU is doing its best to keep the players in a “bubble” during this time. Every player was given a sanitization packet. Workouts are being done in small groups and at specific times. Players who are living on campus are being given individual rooms. Players who live off campus are being encouraged to follow stay-at-home measures.
It’s easier said than done, of course, with players needing to go to the grocery store or getting something to eat.
“There’s a lot of personal responsibility that comes with this,” Donati said. “We expect when they’re in public that they’re social distancing. They’re required to wear face coverings when they’re in close contact and in close proximity on campus. We’ve done a lot of education to that end and our expectation that they follow those rules and guidelines.”
For now, the early indication is promising for Donati and TCU.
Donati said all scholarship football players have, or are in the process of, returning to campus for voluntary workouts.
“Everybody to some degree, now that our states are reopening, is assuming the risk,” Donati said. “Football would be considered a high-risk sport because you have so much physical contact. We underwent COVID-19 testing and we also tested for the antibodies. We’re doing everything we can to ensure that it’s as safe as possible.
“They have to understand that if they want to participate in football or any activity this year, there’s going to be a risk associated with that. As long as that risk can be mitigated, I think people are really excited to get back to school.”
TCU and other Big 12 programs will conduct voluntary workouts until July 13. Starting July 13, the NCAA will allow programs to resume football activities.
TCU is expected to open its season at Cal on Sept. 5.
This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 5:22 PM.
