NC State athletics members test positive for coronavirus; ACC pushes back start of sports
The N.C. State athletics department released its COVID-19 numbers on Thursday and they are relatively low compared to some other programs in the country.
Fred Demarest, Senior Associate Athletic Director, told the News & Observer via email that “315 student-athletes, coaches and staff have been tested since we began testing on May 29. We have had five positive tests.” Demarest said all five went into isolation within campus and CDC guidelines.
On June 2, N.C. State Athletic Director Boo Corrigan laid out a plan for student-athletes to return to campus. Members of the football and men’s and women’s basketball teams were allowed to participate in voluntary, on-campus workouts.
Before they started, the student-athletes had a physical examination and COVID-19 test. Once cleared, they were allowed to participate in workouts in small groups. Phase 2 started on June 20, with returning and incoming football players allowed into student housing.
On Wednesday, UNC announced an outbreak of COVID-19 in its athletic department, with 37 positive results out of 429 tests. The Tar Heels halted voluntary workouts. Last month, defending national champion LSU had 30 players in quarantine and ACC champion Clemson had 37 players test positive for COVID-19.
Also on Wednesday, the Ivy League announced that it is suspending all fall sports.
Demarest said there was no plan for N.C. State to put workouts on hold.
“There is no change in our status for voluntary workouts at the current time,” Demarest wrote.
The ACC also announced on Thursday morning that its fall sports will delay start of competition until at least Sept. 1. The delay includes all exhibition and non-conference games in the men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball. It does not affect football, with no season-openers scheduled before September. All sports will still be allowed to begin practicing on Aug. 1. The decision was approved unanimously by the ACC Board of Directors.
The N.C. State football team is scheduled to start the 2020 season on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Louisville.
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 11:01 AM.
