COVID-19 Updates & Resources - Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Effective immediately by a unanimous vote of the Conference USA Board of Directors, all spring sport competition and championships have been canceled.
March 16, 2020 8:00 p.m.

LETTER NO. 1 FROM DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS CHRIS MASSARO
LETTER NO. 2 FROM DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS CHRIS MASSARO

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

For information regarding Middle Tennessee State University's updates and plan in response to COVID-19,
visit https://www.mtsu.edu/coronavirus/.

MENTAL HEALTH

The sports medicine staff is available for any mental health needs of the student-athletes during this time of change. Athletes should contact their primary athletic trainer for any necessary referrals or care.

University Counseling Services also remains open. For updates and resources regarding counseling services,
visit https://www.mtsu.edu/countest/counseling.php.

CAMPUS DINING

The following are updated on-campus food service operating hours. Please check back for additional updates and operating hours moving forward.

Beginning March 30, 2020
Monday - Friday
McCallie Dining Hall open 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Raider Zone Grill @ JUB open 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

MTSU Student Union venues:
POD open 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
(use south entrance exterior door to enter)

All other venues at all other locations CLOSED

Saturday
McCallie Dining Hall open 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Raider Zone Grill @ JUB open 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

MTSU Student Union venues:
POD open 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
(use south entrance exterior door to enter)

All other venues at all other locations CLOSED

Sunday
McCallie Dining Hall open 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Raider Zone Grill @ JUB open 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

MTSU Student Union venues:
POD open 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
(use south entrance exterior door to enter)

All other venues at all other locations CLOSED

CAMPUS HOUSING

For all updates regarding MTSU Campus Housing, please refer to the attached letter from Director of Housing and Residential Life Michelle Safewright.
Housing Update Letter

PRACTICES/WORKOUTS

Athletic facilities will be closed to all practices and workouts, voluntary or otherwise, until further notice. Consult with your coaches regarding availability. More updates will be forthcoming.

WEIGHT ROOM

The weight room will be closed until further notice. Consult with your coaches regarding availability. More updates will be forthcoming.

TRAINING ROOM

The training room will be closed until further notice. Consult with your primary athletic trainer regarding availability as hours will be limited and any rehab work will be by appointment only. More updates will be forthcoming.

STUDENT-ATHLETE ENHANCEMENT CENTER

The SAEC is closed. Please contact your assigned team academic advisor via email. If you have any questions or concerns,
please contact Todd at 615-898-5610.

COMPUTER LABS

The following on-campus computer labs will be open to all MTSU students Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Each lab will be limited to 10 people at a time.

Business/Aerospace Room 137
Kirksey Old Main Room 124
E.W. Midgett Building Room 303
Peck Hall Room 219
Andrew Todd Hall Room 337

UPDATE - EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, ALL OF THE COMPUTER LABS LISTED ABOVE ARE NOW TEMPORARILY CLOSED.

HOW TO PREVENT CONTRACTING AND SPREADING COVID-19

For detailed instructions on how to protect yourself and others from contracting or spreading COVID-19,
visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html.

ASSESSMENT SITE LOCATIONS FOR SUSPECTED COVID-19 SCREENING

For a list of assessment site locations for suspected COVID-19 screening,
visit https://www.vumc.org/coronavirus/latest-news/assessment-site-locations-suspected-covid-19-screening-0

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

For updates and resources regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S.,
visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

COVID-19 TIMELINE

Wednesday, March 11
9:52 p.m. - Conference USA announces the remainder of the Men's and Women's Basketball Championships will be played without fans

Thursday, March 12
12:58 p.m. - Conference USA suspends all remaining winter and spring sports competition
4:16 p.m. – NCAA announces the cancelation of the Men's and Women's Basketball Championships as well as all other remaining winter and spring sports championships

Friday, March 13
3:15 p.m. - Statement from Director of Athletics Chris Massaro:

"This is uncharted territory but our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our student-athletes. It is always best to err on the side of caution as no one has all the answers for this virus. I fully support this but I do think we need to keep in mind how hard these kids work to be able to compete at the highest level."

Monday, March 16
8:00 p.m. – Conference USA announces all spring sports and championships are canceled effective immediately

Tuesday, March 17
5:00 p.m. - Statement from Director of Athletics Chris Massaro:

"On Monday, the C-USA Board of Directors, made up of the league’s presidents, acted on a recommendation from the athletic directors to cancel the rest of the spring sports season. Given all the CDC guidelines with gatherings of less than 10 people and projections for this to last for the next six to eight weeks, it was only prudent to cancel.

My heart aches for the student-athlete because they work so hard and put so much effort and time into competing at this level. There is really no alternative and in the grand scheme of things we all have to make some sacrifices. I feel terrible that their seasons were cut short."

Wednesday, March 18
4:15 p.m. – Decision was made by Director of Athletics Chris Massaro to close the weight room until at least April 6 and make training room hours limited

Thursday, March 19
10:00 a.m. – Due to the recommended eight-week guidelines from the CDC, we have canceled our annual RCA Awards Show originally scheduled for April 30. However, we will announce winners on our web site and social media at a later date.

7:00 p.m. - Following further discussion with the Conference USA Athletics Directors with approval by the Board of Directors, C-USA announced today the cancelation of formal and organized practice, effective immediately. All other team activities will be governed by NCAA rules within each institution's discretion.

Friday, March 20
2:21 p.m. – University Announcement: Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, the University will implement a plan for the majority of our classified and administrative employees to work remotely.

3:00 p.m. - Director of Athletics Chris Massaro pens letter to BRAA members and season ticket holders (Click Here for Letter)

Thursday, March 26
2:07 p.m. – University announces first COVID-19 case on campus. Click HERE

Friday, March 27
5:00 p.m. - Statement from Director of Athletics Chris Massaro:

Monday, March 30
4:00 p.m. - Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued a statewide "Safer at Home" guideline.
5:50 p.m. - NCAA DI Council grants waiver to allow additional eligibility for spring sport athletes whose seasons were impacted by COVID-19

Thursday, April 16
2:00 p.m. - Director of Athletics Chris Massaro pens letter to Blue Raider Family (Click Here for Letter)

Wednesday, May 20
12:00 p.m. - "Moving Forward with Football" Zoom Webinar debuts with Chris Massaro and Rick Stockstill

Monday, June 1
First wave of football players return to campus for voluntary workouts

Monday, June 8
Second wave of football players return to campus, along with some basketball student-athletes

Wednesday, June 10
12:00 p.m. - "Moving Forward with Football, Part 2" Zoom Webinar with Chris Massaro, Rick Stockstill and Merton Hanks

Monday, June 15
Third wave of football players return to campus for voluntary workouts

Middle Tennesee State University Athletics