COVID-19 QUESTIONS

What is the Athletic Department doing to prevent the spread of Covid-19?
 The success of William & Mary's plan to regather the community on campus depends on creating a deep culture of concern for every member of the community. We must be diligent – in every hour of every day and in each personal decision we make – to safeguard our own health and the health of others.
 
The University has relied on federal, state and local guidance in developing its plans, policies and procedures for a safe reopening this Fall. In developing this plan, William & Mary officials reviewed guidance from the State Departments of Education and Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At the start of the semester, William & Mary will provide wellness kits to students and employees as they return to campus. These kits will include reusable cloth masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes. William & Mary will also provide face shields, sneeze guards and plexiglass barriers as necessary.
 
William & Mary Athletics Safety Measures
William & Mary Athletics has undertaken safety measures in each of its facilities to prevent and mitigate the spread of Covid-19.  The Athletic Facilities and Operations department, in conjunction with University Custodial, will use cleaning tools and solutions to sanitize spaces within Athletics daily.

What happens if a student-athlete or coach tests positive while on campus? 
The VA Department of Health will begin contract tracing and all appropriate close contacts will be tested and/or quarantined.   

ACADEMIC QUESTIONS

William & Mary will shift to three semesters for academic year 2020-2021: an accelerated Fall semester, plus Spring and Summer semesters. For most students, the Fall semester will begin one week early on Aug. 19 and end before Thanksgiving.  Due to the compressed schedule, five extra instructional days will be added. Delivery options include Saturday, evening or online sessions. Each course syllabus will note how and when the extra sessions will be delivered.  Courses will be delivered in a variety of formats ranging from in-person delivery to completely online and will be designated as such in Banner.  Not all courses will be available online.  No special permission is needed to take William & Mary courses online.

STUDENT-ATHLETE GENERAL QUESTIONS

When will student-athletes return to campus?
Student-athletes will return to campus at the same time as the rest of the student body.
A staged arrival is planned for all residential students.  The number of students permitted to arrive on campus at any one time will be limited. All residential students will be assigned a move-in date and time by Residence Life.
 
What about international student-athletes who are unable to obtain a VISA or flight to the U.S.?
William & Mary's international students are vital and valued members of our community. We are committed to supporting our international students in every way possible. We believe that our approach to Fall 2020, offering a mix of in-person, blended and online courses will allow international students to select a format of courses to continue their studies if they are unable to return to campus to live and learn.  International student-athletes should monitor the Reves Center website daily for updates.
 
What will it be like to be a student-athlete on campus this Fall?
We will utilize the NCAA resocialization of sport guidelines, which call for a three-phased return to sports activity. In Phase I, workout/practice groups will be limited to 10 people (including coaches), social distancing will be adhered to, masks/face coverings will be worn when distancing cannot be maintained, equipment will not be shared among players, and training sessions will focus on individual skill work and conditioning. In Phase II, workout/practice groups may increase in size, distancing will be adhered to, equipment may be shared among team members, and training sessions will include organized group activities. Masks/face coverings will be worn based upon current state and college guidelines when distancing cannot be maintained. Phase III, which we may not fully enter during the Fall semester, allows for larger groups, shared use of equipment, organized group activities and competition. Our athletic training staff will work with coaches and student-athletes to put enhanced personal hygiene and equipment cleaning practices in place. Small group and individual meetings will take place online or outdoors during Phase I and II. Meetings will comply with campus guidelines when indoor meetings begin during Phase III. The NCAA will likely issue guidelines regarding training and practice for the months ahead.

Will student-athletes and staff be tested? 
Per the University's COVID Response Team: William & Mary is partnering with the VCU Health System (VCUHS) for expanded physical and mental health services, including COVID-19 testing for students and employees. Students will receive a self-administered, mail-in test kit prior to coming to campus. Test kits will arrive in time for students to self-administer the test, mail it back along with the required consent form, and get test results before they are due to arrive on campus. 

ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS

Will there be Fall sports competition?
Athletic competition for W&M teams who compete during the Fall season has been postponed. The postponement of Fall sports includes the championship seasons for fall sports (Football, Men's and Women's Soccer, Field Hockey, Volleyball, and Men's and Women's Cross Country) as well as the non-championship seasons of competition for our remaining sports.
 
Why was this decision made?
Over the past several weeks, university leadership has worked closely with our conference peers and reviewed the latest information from our medical team related to the current status of COVID-19 and how it affects a return to competition for college sports, and ultimately determined to postpone Fall sports. We are committed to examining every opportunity for our student-athletes regarding their athletic activities and their overall collegiate experience. William & Mary Athletics is working closely with campus leadership and public health authorities to identify a course of action that maintains the health and safety of our student-athletes, athletics staff and the community. Our path forward will continue to be driven by scientific data and evidence-informed decision making.
 
Will Fall sports have the opportunity to compete in the Spring?
William & Mary is continuing to evaluate a number of scenarios related to a return to varsity sports competition, including the possibility of playing Fall sports in the Spring.
 
What is the timeline for making decisions on Winter sports practices and competition and on Spring sports practices and competition?
The current situation regarding a return to athletic competition on college campuses remains fluid and we simply do not have all of the answers at this time. We are continuing to evaluate the opportunities for student-athletes to interact with their coaches and receive athletic instruction upon returning to campus. The return to athletic activity will adhere to the NCAA guidelines contained within the Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Sports which call for a phased return to individual and team workouts. A timeline for decision making on Winter and Spring sports competition will be announced at a later date.
 

ATHLETIC PRACTICES AND TEAM ACTIVITIES

Will Fall student-athletes have the opportunity to practice and train in a team setting?
Fall sports will be permitted to phase in activity beginning on or after the first day of classes, starting with conditioning, moving to small group skill instruction, and advancing to group practices as conditions and campus policies permit.

Exact start dates for practices and team activities are still being finalized and will be communicated at a later date. All athletic activities will be aligned with campus policies and adhere to necessary social distancing protocols, as well as in compliance with any NCAA guidelines.
 
Why is it safe for us to practice but not to compete?
William & Mary Athletics has created a screening and monitoring protocol that will create and maintain an environment focusing on the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. This protocol can and will be enforced during all practice and training sessions. However, competition will bring student-athletes from other institutions into our shared environment. Competition brings too many unknown variables that will not permit us to ensure our protocols to protect the health and safety of our campus community. 
 
What about Winter and Spring sports which typically start offseason conditioning during the Fall?
Winter and Spring sports will similarly be permitted to phase in activity beginning on or after the first day of classes, starting with conditioning, moving to small group skill instruction, and advancing to group practices as conditions and campus policies permit.

Exact start dates for practices and team activities are still being finalized and will be communicated at a later date. All athletic activities will be aligned with campus policies and adhere to necessary social distancing protocols, as well as in compliance with any NCAA guidelines.
 
How much instruction and training will coaches be able to provide to their teams?
The resumption of organized team activities will adhere to the NCAA resocialization of sport guidelines, which call for a three-phased return to sports activity. Teams will start with conditioning and advance to small group skill instruction, advancing to group practices as conditions and campus policies permit.
 
It is important to note that the specific details for each sport will be unique to the sport. Team-specific plans are still being finalized and will be communicated at a later date.
 

If classes are virtual, will teams still be allowed to practice? 

Practices will continue if campus facilities remain open and it is deemed safe to do so. 

 

Will practice sizes be restricted based on state phases? 

Yes. 

 

ATHLETIC FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS

Will athletic spaces such as fields, courts and locker rooms be available for student-athlete use?
Athletic spaces will be available for team use by student-athletes during their normal training/practice times and in accordance with the NCAA resocialization of sport guidelines, social distancing protocols and campus policies.  Locker room access will be severely limited and guidance will be shared with student-athletes upon return to campus. 
 
Will outdoor facilities/spaces/fields be open for student-led workouts and optional practices?
Outdoor fields under the management of the Athletics Department may be available for use by student-athletes. Field use could be limited due to repurposing from campus to create additional space to account for social distancing.
 
Will William & Mary alumni be allowed to use the weight rooms?
No. At this time, the only people who will be allowed to use the weight room will be current William & Mary students and staff. Approval must be made with the sports performance staff before any employee uses the weight room.

Are athletics facilities open for unofficial practices? 
Athletics facilities are only open for approved, sanctioned practices that are supervised by an athletic trainer and coach. 
 

SPORTS MEDICINE QUESTIONS

Will student-athletes have access to Sports Medicine services and staff?
Yes. Protocols in place in the training room and weight room call for limited hours and a limited number of student-athletes and staff who will be permitted at any given time. There will be one-way traffic in and out of both spaces. Teams will have segmented times in which they will have availability of the spaces and will be under direct oversight of both staffs.
 

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

What if a student-athlete is feeling anxious, worried or otherwise unsettled upon returning to campus?
The Counseling Center is prepared and welcoming any and all students who may be in need or desirous of counseling support. Administrators are on alert to help facilitate and provide information regarding counseling services. The Athletic Department Sport Psychology Consultant, Dr. Deidre Connelly, is also prepared to assist student-athletes during this time of transition
 

TRIBE TICKET OFFICE

What if I already paid for my 2020 Football Season Tickets?
 You will have two options regarding your payment for your 2020 football season tickets - transfer the funds to the Tribe Club as a donation or receive a full refund. In the coming weeks, a ticket office representative will reach out to all fans who have paid for their 2020 tickets.