Fall 2020 Athletics Update - Frequently Asked Questions
Compliance Questions
Contact: Dan Teliski (teliski002@gannon.edu), Associate Director of Athletics/Compliance Director/Director of Athletics Facilities
Q: Will athletic competition be held during the Fall 2020 semester?
A: Gannon will not compete in any PSAC-sponsored varsity sports during the 2020 fall semester. This announcement is applicable to all PSAC-sponsored fall varsity competition, as well as winter and spring PSAC-sponsored sport competition that normally takes place in the fall semester. Conference competition for Gannon’s non-PSAC fall and winter sports (men’s water polo, women’s wrestling, competitive cheer and dance) will be determined by future discussions with those conferences and organizations.
Q: Are PSAC fall sports being postponed or cancelled?
A: PSAC conference schedules for fall sports at Gannon have been suspended with the plan that an alternative conference season can be played at some point after January 1. Plans for future competition, such as a spring season for fall sports, will continue to be developed. Future competition will continue to be evaluated and monitored throughout the next five months.
Q: Will the NCAA conduct fall championships?
A: (Updated Aug. 5, 2020) The Division II Presidents Council made the decision to cancel NCAA Division II championships in fall sports for the 2020-21 academic year. Gannon sports affected by this decision are men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball.
Q: Will the winter sports’ season start on time?
A: Gannon will not conduct any PSAC-sponsored athletic competition prior to January 1. Due to this decision, PSAC competition schedules for winter sports will be pushed back with the hope of a January start date. Future competition will continue to be evaluated and monitored throughout the next five months.
Q: How are the 2021 spring seasons effected?
A: The spring sports’ championship seasons in 2021 are not affected at this point. Future competition will continue to be evaluated and monitored throughout the next five months.
Q: Will there be any athletics activity during the 2020 fall semester?
A: Although no PSAC-sponsored competition will occur, Gannon student-athletes will have the ability to practice and condition under current guidelines previously created for a safe return to play. Specific details regarding countable athletic related activity (CARA) hours will determined after clarification conversations regarding playing seasons with the NCAA and conference offices. Gannon will also continue to explore all safe and healthy opportunities for its student-athletes during the fall semester.
Q: How many seasons of competition am I permitted under NCAA/PSAC rules?
A: Under both NCAA and PSAC rules, student-athletes may utilize four seasons of competition. Under NCAA rules, student-athletes may utilize their four (4) seasons of competition within their first 10 full-time semesters without a waiver. NCAA waivers for an extension of eligibility beyond 10 semesters will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the appropriate supporting documentation. Please contacted Dan Teliski if you will need an extension or have questions.
Q: Will I lose my season of competition for Fall 2020?
A: Student-athletes will not be charged with a season used if they don’t participate in competition this fall. Any student-athlete in any program who appears in competition at any point of the 2020-21 academic year will be charged with a season used. Thus, if a student-athletes doesn’t participate in competition during the fall semester but they do compete during the spring semester, they will be considered to have used a year of eligibility. A student-athlete will not be charged with a season used if they don’t appear in any competition (i.e. redshirt year).
Q: What if I decide to take the fall semester off?
A: Please contact Dan Teliski to discuss options. Taking the fall semester off will affect your eligibility and ability to meet NCAA Progress-To-Degree requirements.
Q: What if I start the term, then decide to take a leave of absence?
A: Once a student-athlete begins the semester, the student is responsible to meet NCAA Progress-To-Degree requirements. If a student withdraws from classes at any point after the semester begins, they will be ineligible to compete upon their initial return because progress-towards-degree requirements for the fall semester will not be met.
Q: Will my athletic aid award be honored if games aren’t played?
A: All athletic aid awards will be honored. Gannon continues to plan for PSAC conference schedules to be played after January 1. If the COVID-19 pandemic alters that path at any point, athletic aid awards will still be honored for the 2020-21 academic year. Please note a student-athlete must remain a member of the program to retain their athletic aid.
Q: Will NCAA Progress-To-Degree requirements remain in effect?
A: Yes. Student-athletes must pass at least nine credits during the fall semester, produce at least a 2.0 GPA for the fall semester and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to be eligible during the 2021 spring semester.
Q: Do I need to remain full-time if there will be no competition during the fall semester?
A: Yes. It is believed that CARA activities (practice, conditioning, etc.) will be allowed in some form during the fall semester if no competition is conducted. Any student-athlete not registered full-time will not be allowed to participate in any practices.
Reporting/Move-In Questions
Contact: Individual head coaches
Q: Does the University still plan on starting classes on August 10?
A: Yes. The academic schedule remains intact. Classes will begin on August 10 and the fall semester will end before Thanksgiving. Please continue to monitor University messages to your Gannon e-mails. Many campus policies have already been released.
Q: Will my report day/time remain the same as a student-athlete?
A: Yes. In an effort to reduce density and maintain proper COVID-19 guidelines, we plan to remain on schedule. If you are unable to report at the same time with the postponement of fall sports, please contact your head coach as soon as possible.
Q: What is the process for moving into University dorms?
A: The move-in process remains the same. Each fall sport coaching staff will provide its student-athletes with housing keys and additional information regarding check-in and housing to help follow necessary guidelines. Your coaching staff will reach out to you with complete information in the near future. All winter and spring student-athletes will move in with the general student population. More information on the general student population move-in will be forthcoming from the University. Student-athletes are asked to communicate any questions or concerns to their head coach, who will then relay that information to the appropriate athletics administration and residence life staff to assist with any issues.
Sports Medicine Questions
Contact: Mary Ann Love (love007@gannon.edu), Interim Head Athletic Trainer
Q: Will the athletic training room be able to provide treatment and rehabilitation for injured student-athletes?
A: Yes, the facility will be open on an appointment-based system for student-athletes who are recovering from an injury. The number of visits per week will be dependent upon overall patient volume and facility space. Final athletic training protocols are expected to be released in the near future.
Q: Do I need to get a pre-participatory physical exam at home prior to reporting to campus for the fall semester?
A: No. All Gannon student-athletes must be seen and cleared by the Gannon medical staff. The process for physicals, COVID-19 testing, and other athletic training tasks will remain the same. Student-athletes will be informed of their physical date as soon as the schedule is finalized.
Q: If I miss my scheduled rehab appointment time, will I be able to walk in for care?
A: No. You will need to reschedule your appointment through the ARMS software. You will need to be on time for your scheduled appointments due to the need for social distancing and a low density within the athletic training facilities.
Q: If I have an acute injury, will I be able to access the athletic training room at that moment?
A: Immediate care will be provided for any injury that may require immediate evaluation and care such as laceration, concussion, or may need crutches, walking boot, sling or other immobilization device. For injuries that are not as severe, the student-athlete should contact a member of the athletic training staff via phone for guidance about their care on the day of injury.
Q: I'm not injured, but I usually get maintenance care from my athletic trainer as a preventative measure. Will I still be able to do this?
A: This will depend on total patient load and availability of in-person care based on state and institutional public health regulations. Preference will be given to student athletes who are currently injured or returning from injury.
Q: Can student-athletes access recovery modalities such as cold tubs, hot tubs, heat packs, ice bags, foam rollers, stretch cords, etc.?
A: No, due to current public health guidelines and occupancy limits these areas will not be available for student-athletes at this time. We will need to prioritize the athletic training room for student-athletes who need rehabilitation services. This area will continue to be re-evaluated based upon emerging public health and institutional guidance.
Q: What safety measures is the athletic training room putting in place to reduce the risk of exposure to the student-athletes?
A: Sports medicine staff within the facility will be wearing personal protective equipment as recommended by medical and health professionals. Student-Athletes will be required to wear face coverings within the athletic training room. Screening and temperature check will take place prior to student-athlete being admitted into the facility. There will be occupancy limits based upon public health and institutional guidelines to promote proper social distancing for student-athletes and sports medicine staff. The athletic training room is being reconfigured to account for proper social distancing with marked entrances and exits. Equipment will be cleaned with approved disinfectant after each patient use. Student-athletes and athletic training staff are mandated to follow recommended guidelines for hand hygiene, face coverings and social distancing.
Q: Do I report to the athletic training room if I'm feeling ill (cough, fever, sore throat, body aches, nausea, diarrhea, etc.)?
A: No. All student-athletes who feel ill should contact the University Health Services Office 814-871-7622. The office is located in the Harborview House Apartments at 210 West Sixth Street.
Q: Will mental wellness services be available?
A: Yes. Mental wellness services remain available through the Gannon Counseling Center located in the Harborview House Apartments at 210 West Sixth Street.
Q: Will student-athletes have access to coolers of ice and water coolers for practices?
A: No. Public health guidelines stipulate that communal beverages and food are restricted. Student-athletes will be given individual water bottles. It is the student-athletes’ responsibility to bring that water bottle with them to every activity. Student-athletes will not be allowed to practice without their water bottle. Under no circumstance will water bottles be shared.
Q: If I'm not enrolled at Gannon for the fall semester, can I access the athletic training room for sport medicine services?
A: No. Per NCAA legislation it is impermissible for non-enrolled student-athletes to access athletics facilities which includes the athletic training room. However, we can provide telehealth services in our areas of athletic training, physician, nutritional, and mental health based upon state and international regulations.
Athletics Facilities Questions
Contact: Dan Teliski (teliski002@gannon.edu), Associate Director of Athletics/Compliance Director/Director of Athletics Facilities
Q: If there is no competition in the Fall, will we have access to the varsity weight room?
A: Yes. Per normal protocol, only scheduled groups will be allowed in the varsity weight room. Coaches will relay that schedule to student-athletes. Under no circumstances will individuals have access to the varsity weight room without supervision. For those wishing to work out on their own, the general student weight room at the Recreation and Wellness Center is available.
Q: If there is no competition in the Fall, will we have access to the Hammermill Center, McConnell Family Stadium and Carneval Athletic Pavilion Pool?
A: Yes. Per normal protocol, all usage of these facilities needs to be scheduled through your coaching staff. They will not be available for unscheduled individual workouts. A student-athlete is not allowed to be the only person in a facility per safety guidelines. Please contact you coaching staff to ensure supervision.
Q: What are the safety/cleaning precautions taken in the athletics facilities?
A: A detailed plan has been developed to keep our athletics facilities safe. This information was detailed in length in an e-mail sent to all student-athletes on July 1. If you are unable to access that e-mail, please contact Dan Teliski.
Q: Will face coverings be required for workouts?
A: Yes. Face coverings are strongly encouraged in all Gannon athletics facilities at all times.
Q: What are the regulations regarding number of student-athletes per square foot?
A: Gannon University has worked with health and medical professionals to determine the appropriate capacity in every room on campus. This includes athletics facilities. You will see reduced room capacity throughout the Gannon campus. All teams and student-athletes must adhere to room/building capacities.
