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Resources for Student-Athletes during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Dear Current Student-Athletes,

Amid the many alterations to our normal routine, we wanted to put together a list of resources available to you for use in what can be a very challenging time. We believe these will help you in your transition in and out of the classroom. If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Gannon University Updates:
  • Gannon University COVID-19 Update Page: Click Here
Athletic Resources: Academic Resources:
  • STEM and Writing Center: Will be utilizing 1-on-1 tutoring via video chat. Use this link to sign up for a session: Click Here
  • For any questions within Blackboard, utilize the Help tab located on the home page for any issues within the software. If things are confusing within the course, speak directly with your teachers.
  • If you do not have access to a laptop or tablet with a camera and high-speed internet access, please reach out to ITS. For technology needs, you can consult This Form to see what devices or other resources are available to you. The Gannon ITS help desk can be reached by e-mail at helpdesk@gannon.edu.
  • Many textbooks have released an e-file for the remainder of the semester and the library of available books can be found here: Click Here
  • Michelle Wiley and Kelly Bommer are available to meet via Skype for any challenges you may encounter as classes transition to online; their emails are wiley004@gannon.edu and bommer001@gannon.edu.
  • Gannon job seekers should visit www.joinhandshake.com to set up their professional profiles and explore the possibilities! Should you need help with your resume or interview skills, please reach out to career@gannon.edu.
 
Sports Performance Resources:
  • Game Plan: Click Here
  • Nutrition Resources: Click Here
  • Sleep Wellness: Click Here
  • Make a Schedule: Set a standard wake up time, as well as time to study, eat, work out, and socialize. Continue to maintain a structured schedule and bedtime to ensure optimal performance.
  • The CDC webpage on managing anxiety and stress provides a practical overview of self-care and resources: Click Here
  • The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a comprehensive information and resource guide that addresses self-care and community/national resources: Click Here
  • The NCAA's Sport Science Institute offers daily strategies for mental     health and other resources: Click Here
University Resources:
  • Student Emergency Fund is available to assist with financial challenges that are occurring with the recent transition. Students are encouraged to bring forward any need they have so the group can work with them if they need to get home or if they need assistance while remaining in the local area. Please contact the Office of Mission and Ministry (Beyer 306) or have them contact: Becky Perry (perry014@gannon.edu), Brent Heckman (heckman004@gannon.edu), Sue Grande (grande001@gannon.edu) or Fr. Michael Kesicki (kesicki001@gannon.edu).
  • Should you have further questions regarding the operations at the University or your transition, please use the form: Click Here
  • The Counseling Center will continue to provide counseling support to students utilizing tele-counseling services (via phone and/or video conferencing). In-person counseling sessions are suspended until further notice.
    • Current clients of the Counseling Center should communicate with their assigned therapist via email to set up tele-counseling sessions.
    • Students seeking to initiate counceling should call the office at 814-871-7622 adn leave a message with their name, contact information and availability. Staff from the Counseling Office will contact them for an initial consultation via phone.
    • If a student is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact Gannon Police and Safety, who will contact Counseling staff.
    • Any other questions or concerns, please email Dr. Jodi Giacomelli at organ002@gannon.edu.
Other Resources:
  • UHAUL is offering free storage for students effected: Click Here
  • Spectrum is offering free Wi-Fi to homes with students: Click Here
  • Enterprise is waiving some fees to help students get home: Click Here

Eligibility/NCAA Rules and Regulations (Last Updated June 10, 2020)
 
This area has been extremely fluid and will continue to be as committees meet on a regular basis to determine the effects of what has happened, possible waivers and any detail pertaining to this situation. Please continue to check this page as more updates become available. Here is what we know so far:
 
  • The NCAA has issued a waiver that will allow all spring sports student-athletes to regain this year as a season of competition. This pertains to only spring sports student-athletes and will not apply to winter sports student-athletes. All spring student-athletes, regardless of class, will not be charged a year of competition for the 2020 season if the following two criteria are met:
    • The student-athlete must have been eligible.
    • The program's season had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
      • This waiver can be taken with the student-athlete to another school. However, all normal NCAA transfer rules remain in place. Please contact your compliance coordinator for an overview of your situation in regards to normal NCAA transfer rules.
  • The NCAA has issued a waiver that will grant an extension to the 10-semester rule for those spring sports student-athletes who met the following criteria:
    • The student-athlete must have been eligible.
    • The program’s season had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
    • Please note this only pertains to those who exhausted their 10 semesters of eligibility in the spring of 2020. All other student-athletes must complete their eligibility within 10 full-time semesters.
  • The NCAA has issued a blanket waiver of the following progress-toward-degree requirements for the 2019-20 academic year:
    • Term-by-term (Bylaw 14.4.3.2), academic year (Bylaw 14.4.3.3) and annual credit hour requirements (Bylaw 14.4.3.4);
    • Grade-point average requirement (Bylaw 14.4.3.5);
    • Transferrable nine-semester/eight-quarter hours for student-athletes whose last full-time term of attendance was spring 2020 (Bylaw 14.4.3.2.1); and
    • Average of 12-transferrable credit hour requirement for transfers with one season or two-semester/three-quarters remaining, provided the student-athlete was on track to meet that requirement entering the spring 2020 term [Bylaw 14.5.5.3.9-(d)].
    • Student-athletes must be in good academic standing (Bylaw 14.4.3.1) to be eligible for competition in the fall 2020 term.
    • Student-athletes must meet all applicable progress-toward-degree requirements during the 2020-21 academic year.
  • Summer Rules and Regulations
    • Voluntary physical activities are permitted. All coaches, including strength and conditioning coaches, are permitted to send workouts if requested by student-athletes. However, student-athletes are not permitted to report back on times, weights, etc.
      • Strength and conditioning coaches are able to give student-athletes normal summer workout plans, and access to the workout plans does not need to be initiated by the student-athlete. Please remember that these must still be voluntary workouts, and coaches cannot track summer workouts.
      • Revised COVID-19 legislation allows a coach to work out with CURRENT student-athletes only at the student-athlete’s request until the start of the fall semester. This will not constitute CARA hours. Health and safety guidelines must be followed. It remains impermissible for incoming student-athletes to work out with a coach regardless of who initiates the request.
    • No CARA hours are allowed during the summer.
    • For more information on what qualifies as CARA: Click Here
  • The entire NCAA and all of its members are in a recruiting quiet period through July 31.
    • During the quiet period, it will be permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts only on the member institution's campus. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may be made during the quiet period
      • Any number of uncommitted prospective student-athletes and their family members can participate on a telephone/video call with coaching staff members and current student-athletes until the start of the institution's fall 2020 term.
  • NCAA Eligibility Center for Incoming PSAs
    • Due to changing difficulties regarding high school education and SAT/ACT cancelations, the NCAA has instituted a COVID-19 Automatic Waiver. If a PSA meets the following criteria, the will be eligible for athletic aid and competition as a freshman. If they do not meet the following criteria, they must meet the normal NCAA initial-eligibility criteria. This applies to all students — domestic and international.
      • Complete 10 NCAA-approved core course units before start of seventh semester; And
      • Present a 2.200 or higher core-course GPA in such courses
      • Will graduate after the 2020 spring or 2020 summer sessions
    • Institutions may self-apply a two-year college transfer waiver for prospective student-athletes transferring for the 2020-21 academic year provided all of the following criteria are met and the student-athlete was enrolled in the courses necessary entering the spring 2020 term:
      • The student-athlete was on track to complete at least two full-time semesters or three quarters at the two-year college;
      • The student-athlete was on track to satisfactorily complete an average of 12-semester or 12-quarter hours of transferable credit for each full-time term of attendance at the two-year college;
      • The student-athlete was on track to satisfactorily complete the following transferable credit-hour requirements: a) six semester or eight quarter hours of English; b) three semester or four quarter hours of Math; and c) three semester of four quarter hours of natural or physical science; and
      • The student-athlete has presented a minimum transferable GPA of 2.2.
  • How to stay up to date on Twitter with the latest developments regarding compliance rules.

If you have any questions regarding eligibility, financial aid, rules or anything associated with compliance … please don’t hesitate to contact Gannon Associate Director of Athletics Dan Teliski at teliski002@gannon.edu. Please don’t be left wondering. Ask every question you have.
 

 
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