Brandeis Athletics COVID-19 Updates, March 25: Return To Play

Posted: Mar 25, 2021

UPDATED, March 25: As of April 1, Brandeis athletics will begin limited intercollegiate competition. See the announcement here: https://www.brandeisjudges.com/general/2020-21/releases/ReturnToPlay

In unprecedented times, the Brandeis University Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation will continue to provide the latest updates for the Athletics community. Below, student-athletes, alumni, staff, faculty and fans can access up-to-date information regarding adjustments to athletic activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brandeis’ Spring 2021 semester is being conducted in a hybrid fashion, with some students living on campus and taking a portion of their courses in person and some students studying completely remotely. Students, faculty and staff coming to campus should comply with all measures required within the Campus Passport, including testing and taking the Daily Health Assessment. Admittance to Gosman will require a green passport.

For complete information, visit the University's COVID-19 Response website.

MASK GUIDELINES - FALL/WINTER PARTICIPATION - CLUB SPORTS, INTRAMURALS & RECREATION - FITNESS FACILITIES - HEALTH & WELNESS MODULES - VARSITY SPORTS - ADDITIONAL UPDATES - HOW TO HELP

MASK GUIDELINES & UPDATED FACILITY HOURS

In accordance with state guidelines:

Effective immediately, masks must be worn in Gosman at all times, regardless of the type of physical activity or distance from others. We realize wearing a mask may make some activities difficult due to level of exertion. However, the health and safety of our campus must take priority. Activities will need to be modified so they can be done while wearing a mask.

Exception: Swimmers may remove masks before entering the water. Masks must be worn on the pool deck but may be removed for eating and drinking.

Please visit the Gosman COVID-19 Policies Page for full facility usage information.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

VARSITY PARTICIPATION

Brandeis Fall and winter varsity sports, as well as club sports, will not be competing in intercollegiate competition during the 2020-21 Academic year. Spring sports will not hold UAA competition but will hold limited non-conference competition. Intramural sports programming will avoid all contact, team-based activities. The Gosman Sports and Convocation Center continues to observe protocols to ensure health and safety.

CLUB SPORTS, INTRAMURALS & RECREATION

Club sports will be able to continue on-campus practices as they have been conducted for the majority of the spring semester. Off-campus practice opportunities will be available beginning April 1, as they remain consistent with Brandeis’ student travel policy. Club sports will not be eligible for intercollegiate competition. Intramural sports will continue to have individual skills competitions available, with opportunities for team-based competition also available beginning on April 1.

For more information and a full schedule of fall intramural activities for this spring, visit the Intramurals Homepage.

FITNESS FACILITIES

The Gosman Sports and Convocation Center has reopened as of August 17. Users must visit the Gosman COVID-19 Policies Page to review new policies prior to visiting the gym.

New protocols are in place to prioritize the health and safety of everyone using or working in the facility, including physical distancing, spacing out of fitness equipment, and regular cleaning and disinfecting of equipment and surfaces. The implementation of these protocols will cause significant changes to the normal use of the facility. For example, some equipment and areas of the fitness center may not be available for use; masks will need to be worn for most activities; limits will be placed on the number of concurrent users and the duration of each visit; and advance reservations are encouraged to access the facility.

Those using the gym must follow the new protocols listed on the Gosman COVID-19 Policies Page and register ahead of time to use facilities. Anyone coming to campus to use the gym must have also have previously completed Brandeis' mandatory safety training for faculty and staff or for students. They must take the Brandeis' Daily Health Assessment and provide proof of completion upon entry to the gym. Addtionally, users should sign up for COVID-19 testing based on the frequency with which they will be on campus.

The Gosman Center hours are available at https://www.brandeisjudges.com/facilities/schedule

ACTIVITIES-BASED HEALTH AND WELLNESS (HWL) MODULES

The university is offering many of its activities-based health and wellness modules this fall. Some module courses are designed for remote learning, while others are designed for in-person instruction. All in-person module courses are subject to social distancing requirements and new safety protocols. A complete list of HWL course offerings can be found in the public schedule of classes.

VARSITY SPORTS

Spring Sports Update: With COVID-19 restrictions easing in the state of Massachusetts and on campus, the Brandeis University athletic teams are set to return to action for the Spring 2021 season. The baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams will engage in intercollegiate competition for the first time since 2020 later this spring, with intercollegiate competition approved to begin on April 1, barring case clusters and assuming full compliance with university protocol and processes.

“As a department, we have been working towards the goal of competing since last March,” said Director of Athletics Lauren Haynie. “Our student-athletes, coaches and staff have been diligent in preparing for this opportunity, while simultaneously keeping the health, safety and welfare of our community in the forefront. I commend them for their continued vigilance, and thank our university’s senior leadership for making outside competition a possibility.”

View the full statement on spring sports at https://www.brandeisjudges.com/general/2020-21/releases/ReturnToPlay

The NCAA has issued a blanket waiver that preserves a year of eligibility for student-athletes who had the Spring 2020 season cancelled. The full statement is available here. They have also issued an additional blanket waiver that includes the entire 2020-21 academic year. That full statement is available here.

ADDITIONAL UPDATES

Brandeis Athletics is in the midst of developing protocols and guidelines for general recreation, fitness classes, health & wellness classes, and other athletics-related activities. Additional updates with more specific information will be made available on this page as they become available.

We welcome your questions about how COVID-19 will affect athletics at Brandeis University during the 2020-21 academic year. Please be sure to read through the Fall 2020 at Brandeis final report and the Frequently Asked Questions on this website to see if your question has already been answered. If not, please feel free to send us an email at athletics@brandeis.edu

Brandeis’ Spring 2021 semester is being conducted in a hybrid fashion, with some students living on campus and taking a portion of their courses in person and some students studying completely remotely. Students, faculty and staff coming to campus should comply with all measures required within the Campus Passport, including testing and taking the Daily Health Assessment. For complete information, visit the COVID-19 Response website.

HOW TO HELP

If you are looking for ways to help Brandeis students and student-athletes out during this difficult time, please visit the Light The Way Campaign to learn more.

FALL PARTICIPATION - CLUB SPORTS, INTRAMURALS & RECREATION - FITNESS FACILITIES - HEALTH & WELLNESS MODULES - VARSITY SPORTS - ADDITIONAL UPDATES