D3Playbook: Fully Vaccinated

written by STEVE ULRICH
your must-read briefing on what's driving the day in NCAA Division III

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TOP STORY

1. Fully Vaccinated

CDC updates guidelines for fully vaccinated people - UT Health San Antonio
by Ross Dellenger, Sports Illustrated

"The NCAA medical advisory group is changing its definition of a fully vaccinated individual as someone who has received the COVID-19 booster shot if they are eligible, sources tell Sports Illustrated, a significant move that will trigger a rush from universities to get their players and staff boosted.

The new definition only applies to previously vaccinated individuals who are eligible for the booster. Athletes are eligible if they are within two months from getting the single shot Johnson and Johnson; five months from the last Pfizer shot; and six months from the last Moderna shot. Athletes who are not eligible for the booster but are vaccinated are still considered fully vaccinated. Those athletes who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days are also immunized and receive the benefits of a fully vaccinated athlete.

The new protocols are only recommendations or “considerations,” NCAA documents say. Conferences and schools can choose whether to follow them or create their own guidelines based on their local health department guidance. Many conferences, especially at the Power 5 level, have already created their own policies, many of them matching the latest CDC guidance. It’s unclear how those leagues will treat booster-eligible athletes who have not had the booster. Are they considered fully vaccinated or unvaccinated?"

>> Court Awareness: "The recommended NCAA protocols for those fully vaccinated are more relaxed than those who are unvaccinated. Vaccinated athletes are not required to quarantine as close contacts and are exempt from regular COVID-19 testing. Those considered unvaccinated are regularly tested and, if deemed a close contact, must quarantine for at least five days. The reasons behind many of the postponed or canceled games over the last month often trace back to such issues."

>> What's Next: "The latest changes are part of the NCAA medical advisory group’s new re-socialization guidelines expected to be released to schools on Thursday. According to feedback from the NCAA to college administrators, officials are not, as of now, contemplating a cancellation of winter championships nor are they examining a waiver modification in qualifying for championships as was the case last year."

>> Yes, But: "With its change regarding the booster, the NCAA medical group is stretching beyond even the CDC, which does not yet require the booster shot to deem people fully vaccinated. However, the CDC strongly encourages booster shots for those eligible."

>> Continue Reading

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WRESTLING

2. National Duals Begin Today

The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals begin today. The field has been reduced to 15 teams from the original 24 due to pandemic concerns, but still has six of the top-10 ranked dual teams in DIII.

NWCA champion mainstays Wartburg and Augsburg were unable to make the D-III field due to Covid-19 issues in their programs. Loras, which was the previous No. 2 seed, withdrew before the brackets were released Wednesday.

First Round
No. 1 Coe vs. Mount St. Joseph
No. 18 RIT vs. No. 19 Averett
No. 8 Wabash vs. Concordia Moorhead
No. 6 Baldwin Wallace vs. Dubuque
No. 4 North Central vs. Adrian
No. 10 Johnson & Wales vs. Olivet
No. 13 Millikin vs. Springfield
No. 3 UW-La Crosse (Bye)

Live Results
Live Video ($)

>> NWCA Rankings - December 29

COVID

3. Spectator Policies

I wish we didn't need to keep this section going ... but schools continue to make announcements about their spectator policies. Because of that, we will continue to make you - our readers - aware of the changes.

Restricted (27)
These schools are mostly restricting spectators to those within the college community or those on a pass list.

Connecticut (3): Connecticut College, Trinity, Wesleyan
Illinois (2): Illinois College, Lake Forest
Indiana (1): Earlham
Maine (3): Bates, Bowdoin, Colby
Minnesota (1): St. Olaf
Massachusetts (6): Amherst, MIT, Smith, Tufts, Williams, Worcester State
New York (5): Bard, CCNY, Hamilton, Hunter, RPI
Ohio (1): Baldwin Wallace
Pennsylvania (2): Franklin & Marshall, Ursinus
Vermont (1): Middlebury
Wisconsin (2): Alverno, Carroll

Must Show Proof of Vaccination or Recent Test (11)
These schools are mostly restricting spectators to those who can display proof a vaccination/booster or a recent COVID-19 negative test.

Illinois (3): Augustana, Illinois Tech, North Park
Massachusetts (1): Brandeis
New Jersey (2): New Jersey City, Rutgers-Newark
New York (4): Baruch, Hartwick, RIT, Union
Ohio (1): Denison

No Spectators Until Further Notice (57)
These schools are prohibiting all spectators as we understand.

California (1): Chapman
Connecticut (3): Eastern Connecticut, Mitchell, Western Connecticut
District of Columbia (1): Catholic
Georgia (1): Emory
Illinois (1): Knox
Kentucky (1): Transylvania
Maine (1): Maine Maritime
Maryland (2): Goucher, Johns Hopkins
Massachusetts (9): Clark, Dean, Elms, Emerson, Gordon, Mass-Boston, MCLA, Simmons, WPI
Missouri (1): Washington U.
New Hampshire (2): Keene State, Rivier
New Jersey (2): Ramapo, Stevens
New York (16): Brooklyn, Farmingdale State, Keuka, Manhattanville, Maritime, Merchant Marine, Mount St. Mary, Mount Saint Vincent, NYU, Old Westbury, Purchase, St. Joseph's (Brooklyn), St. Joseph's (L.I.), Sarah Lawrence, SUNY Poly, Yeshiva
Ohio (3): Case Western Reserve, Hiram, Wilmington
Pennsylvania (10): Bryn Athyn, Dickinson, Eastern, Haverford, Keystone, King's, Misericordia, Swarthmore, Widener, Wilkes
Rhode Island (1): Rhode Island College
Tennessee (1): Rhodes
Virginia (2): Mary Baldwin, Marymount

The list is not complete nor comprehensive.

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FEATURE

4. Thank You to My Mentor

Behind the Whistle: Thank You to My Mentor | USA Lacrosse Magazine
by Kristen Stuckel, Muhlenberg College / photo courtesy of Gettysburg Athletics

"When you hear the words “Gettysburg College,” they may conjure up thoughts of a battlefield, a tremendous college, an intense battle on the athletic field, which could be good or bad memories!

I have all those thoughts, but mostly amazing images, especially because of my mentor Carol Cantele. During my college years, Carol started at Gettysburg as the field hockey and lacrosse coach, for which I played both. The solid foundation that Gettysburg gave Carol was an opportunity she took and excelled in.

A community has formed in Carol’s athletic programs that she has been building for almost 30 years. It’s been created through hard work and doing the little things that matter to athletes. She has cultivated a Gettysburg family from the traditions and love she grew up with from her own parents, siblings and immediate family."

>> The Big Picture: Carol uses sports as a platform to teach and inspire young athletes to not just speak about “how to live a life that makes the minutes count,” but to put it into action. The teams have been united to work harder for each other and the team through goal setting, long runs, silly fun games, team initiatives and meaning behind their season. I was fortunate to be along for part of the journey."

>> Why It Matters: "Carol continues to be a motivator. I see a mentor as someone who doesn’t give you the answers but helps you find your own answers. She will listen, support and inspire through her words and actions. Of course, it is better to win as Carol does, but she has also taught me that the experience coaches guide players through is valuable, meaningful, fulfilling and with purpose."

>> What They're Saying: "When I think of my time working with Carol, a quote from Benjamin Franklin comes to mind: “Tell me, and I forget, teach me, and I may remember, involve me, and I learn.”"

>> Read More