A couple of weeks ago UCLA and USC were approved by the county to start training on their campuses after several months of absence due to COVID-19.
This allowed the athletes to begin their preparation for next year’s competitions.
In a recent interview with LBCC’s athletic director, Bill Husak, regarding the topic of UCLA and USC returning, he said “I think it’s great. I think it’s wonderful student athletes have a chance to come back, practice and play.”
But he also expressed how every institution has different regulations and a different process to meet requirements and guidelines for a safe environment for their students.
When asked the question if LBCC’s athletes are coming back, Husak said “We hope we come back to practice and play in Spring. That’s the goal.”
However, this decision will depend on the health departments of the cities of Long Beach, Pasadena, and Los Angeles.
LBCC is already organizing a socialization plan, with the goal of a safe return for student athletes next semester.
The socialization plan is already being reviewed by the College.
Some of the highlights of the plan are testing student athletes through a checkpoint everyday, practicing social distancing, cleaning the equipment, no access to the locker room facilities, monitoring restrooms, and more.
Eduardo Nunes, coach of LBCC’s woman’s soccer team, said “All this time we’ve been off, we’ve been planning [for a safe return] and a lot of this has been done with the guidance of our teams’ trainers and doctors.”
Coach Nunes also said, “If we get the green light, I think we are going to be absolutely okay. I’d go in with 100% confidence.”
Due to 2020’s sports competitions cancelation, the 2020 Fall sports will be played in Spring 2021. Bill Husak said “All 18 sports will take place in Spring. Spring would be cut in half.”
The first half the semester would have around eight sports being played such as football, soccer, two aquatic sports, basketball and others. The second half would consist of baseball, softball, track and field, and more.
Spectators will not be allowed to attend those competitions. Only the athletes and coaches can be present.