COVID-19 Information

March 12, 2021

Campus Colleagues,

The quote by Michael Jordan that says, “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, and others make it happen” has guided SIUE Intercollegiate Athletics through the many challenges that have been faced during the last year. 

March 2020 started like any other March in the world of college athletics. Several of our spring sports were just starting their competition season, and our winter sports were ending. Our athletic academic lab was filled with students studying for midterms, our athletic training room was performing rehabilitation on our injured student-athletes, and our student-athletes and coaches were preparing for practice. Little did we know that in a matter of just a few days, our thoughts would soon be filled with words like social distancing, cancellation of season, ban on recruiting, antigen and PCR testing, and contact tracing. 

As the days and weeks passed, we realized that COVID-19 was not going to magically disappear and knew that we had to “make it happen.”  We worked diligently to develop a plan that would allow our student-athletes to return to campus while keeping them safe. 

In June 2020, the Athletics Pandemic Operations Return Team (PORT) plan was implemented. The committee formulating this plan included coaches, athletic administrators, student-athletes, University support staff, University Housing, SIUE Health Service and Campus Recreation.

In addition, we collaborated with Madison County Health Department to gather their advice on best practices and a safe return to activity. We also consulted conference peers, NCAA and National Athletic Trainers’ Association leaders, and University leadership. Without this team of dedicated individuals, we would not have been successful in our quest to “make it happen.”

Intercollegiate Athletics through COVID-19:

• A resocialization plan was developed specifically for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics that guided student-athletes, coaches and staff on all required COVID-19 protocols. 
• Extensive education was provided to student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff regarding minimizing risk. This education occurred prior to student-athletes returning to campus, upon initial return to campus, and throughout the fall and spring semesters. 
• Specific screening protocols were formulated that required every student-athlete to complete a daily online health and wellness assessment through CoachMePlus (CMP), regardless of participation in activities each day.
• Detailed protocols were developed for each individual athletic facility that provided directional guidance, cleaning protocols and safety measures.
• Because our student-athletes were away from practice for many months as a result of COVID-19, a scientific-based progressive approach was implemented by our Athletic Performance staff to acclimate them back into their sport and reduce chance of injury.
• A structured testing regimen was enacted that followed institutional, conference and NCAA guidelines. This testing structure not only involved teams who were actively competing, but also included surveillance testing protocols on teams were not in their competition season.  Since July 2020, our athletic department has processed 3,822 antigen/PCR tests of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and officials.
• Through a strong partnership and collaboration with our campus partners, student-athletes impacted by COVID-19 were provided excellent care in a multi-collaborative approach between SIUE Health Service, team cardiologists, and our department’s Sports Medicine and Athletic Performance staffs. This professional level of care allowed for their safe return to play while keeping not only the student-athletes safe, but also those around them safe.
• Throughout the pandemic, SIUE student-athletes continued to excel in the classroom. For spring 2020, our student- athletes earned a departmental grade point average (GPA) of 3.494. In fall 2020, our student-athletes earned a 3.425 departmental GPA. Fall 2020 marked the 29th consecutive semester that SIUE student-athletes have posted a departmental GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition, 77.88% of our student athletes earned a spring 2020 semester GPA of 3.0 or higher, and 76.17% of our student-athletes earned a fall 2020 semester GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

• Most recently, our SIUE men’s basketball team returned to the 2021 OVC Tournament after experiencing nine-consecutive games postponed in the middle of their season because of COVID-19 protocols. This 33-day span of no competition was one of the longest in NCAA Division I basketball. This pause in the program, while not ideal, demonstrated our commitment to COVID-19 protocols, the institution’s focus on the safety of our student-athletes, and our student-athletes adaptability and perseverance.
• Through the challenging year we have faced with COVID-19, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics successfully launched two fundraising initiatives – Victory SIUE and the redesigned Cougar Athletics Excellence Fund. In addition, the $28 for 28 fundraising campaign to recognize our 28^th consecutive semester of a departmental grade point average of 3.0 or higher resulted in 100% participation by all head coaches and athletics senior administration. 
• Through a strong collaboration with the University Foundation, the SIUE Department of Intercollegiate Athletics was able to garner its strongest Giving Tuesday fundraising to date.

While many campus partners have been instrumental in our successful return to play, it is imperative for us to recognize the high level of commitment displayed by University Housing, Facilities Management and Health Service. We are thankful that you all are part of our team!

As we continue to navigate the months ahead of us, we look forward to the sounds of fans once again filling the stands and cheering our Cougars onto victory. On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, thank you for your continued support of Cougar Athletics. 

Go Cougars!

Tim

Tim Hall

Director of Athletics

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville