Winter Sports COVID Guidance

 

written by STEVE ULRICH your must-read briefing on what's driving the day in NCAA Division III   >> Happy Friday!  A bit of snow in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast today, eh? Or should I say Regions 1, 2, 4 and 5? >> Today's Word Count: 1,330. Five minutes to start your day. >> Thanks for reading D3Playbook. Is your staff reading D3Playbook? Forward this email to them and tell them to subscribe today.   Sign Me Up! TOP STORY 1. Winter Sports COVID Guidance "The NCAA has released updated guidance for winter sports competing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 Winter Training and Competition document follows recent updates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including recommendations for quarantine and isolation. The updated guidance addresses broad considerations that differentiate COVID-19 management in Tier 1 individuals based on vaccination and other immunity considerations. For purposes of the winter guidelines, the NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group has developed a definition of "fully vaccinated" that considers both vaccination status and other immunity factors that may impact risks for Tier 1 individuals, including student-athletes and coaches. Those considered fully vaccinated include people: Within two months of having completed the primary series of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (one dose). Within five months of having completed the primary series of the mRNA Pfizer vaccine, or within six months of having completed the primary series of the mRNA Moderna vaccine (two doses for both). Who have received a booster vaccine if they are beyond two months of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or beyond five or six months of the mRNA Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, respectively. A person who has had a documented COVID-19 infection in the past 90 days is considered the equivalent of "fully vaccinated."" >> What They're Saying: "The omicron variant has presented another surge of cases across the country," NCAA Chief Medical Officer Brian Hainline said. "This guidance was designed to align with the latest public health directives. Given how the pandemic continues to evolve, it's important that staff on member campuses continue to work with their local and state health officials on protocols most suitable for their locations." >> Worth Noting: "The guidelines are for Tier 1 individuals and include other recommendations that carry over from the fall for testing and other athletic and nonathletic activities. As previously defined, Tier 1 individuals are those with the highest exposure (for example, student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, medical staff, equipment staff and officials)." >> Read More OP-ED 2.  The NCAA Is Not a Democracy by Karen Weaver, Forbes Sports “United we stand, divided we fall” is a rallying cry today for those who cherish all that we know about democracy. And on this historic day, January 6, 2022, we reflect on many of the democratic institutions we hold dear, as well as those we’d like to see “do better.” I place the member institutions of the NCAA in the latter category. As the NCAA Convention draws near, I am hearing much frustration from colleagues and presidents who work in Division III. With more than 450 institutions, Division III is by far the NCAA’s largest bloc of schools, and in this upcoming Constitutional Convention, they have significant leverage to advance their views and needs. If, as the NCAA has noted, this unique gathering offers the rare opportunity to allow for “one vote, one school” accountability—eliminating the complex path currently enjoyed by the NCAA administrative structures—then why are Division III presidents who hold the voting power for their schools being told to accept the status quo before the formal vote?" >> Court Awareness: "The issue revolves around money (doesn’t it always?). The working committees and “powers that be” have let it be known to the Division III presidents and their representatives that they should be grateful for their 3.18% annual portion of the NCAA’s March Madness revenues coming from the men’s basketball tournament." >> Why It Matters: "In a time when all of higher education is dealing with the economic fallout from the pandemic, declining state support for post-secondary education, federal rules and regulations requiring more compliance expertise on campus, and student debt at an all-time high, this is not the time to accept what the organization is selling to Division III." >> The Final Word: "Division III college presidents have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to negotiate a better arrangement for their athletes and staff members. Yes, the presidents can hope that the media revenues will continue to rise and therefore deliver more to the members. But considering how important college athletics is economically to almost every Division III campus in the country, now is not the time to settle. Your athletes and staff deserve better—why not fight for more for them?" >> Continue Reading A MESSAGE FROM BRIGHT CELLARS   Bright Cellars is a monthly wine club that matches you with wines you'll love. Founded by two MIT grads (#whyD3) who were intimidated by the vast and complex world of wine, Bright Cellars was created to help wine drinkers discover and learn about wine in a fun, interactive way. Bright Cellars creates a wine experience tailored just for you. Based on an algorithm, wine selections are calculated to match your taste preferences. As you try the wines, you're encouraged to rate them on the website to fine-tune your taste profile even further. Your matches improve as the algorithm gets to know you better, making each shipment better than the last. D3Playbook readers are invited to get 50% off your first 6-bottle box from Bright Cellars. That's a $45 value. Each box will include a wine education card for each bottle that details servings temps, food pairings, background on the region and more. Take our 30-second quiz to start your weekend right. 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 (29) 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 (2): Earlham, Manchester Maine (3): Bates, Bowdoin, Colby Minnesota (1): St. Olaf Massachusetts (7): Amherst, Anna Maria, 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 (13) These schools are mostly restricting spectators to those who can display proof a vaccination/booster or a recent COVID-19 negative test. Connecticut (1): Coast Guard Illinois (3): Augustana, Illinois Tech, North Park Massachusetts (1): Brandeis New Jersey (3): New Jersey City, Rutgers-Newark, William Paterson New York (4): Baruch, Hartwick, RIT, Union Ohio (1): Denison No Spectators Until Further Notice (68) 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 (2): Maine Maritime, Saint Joseph's Maryland (2): Goucher, Johns Hopkins Massachusetts (11): Clark, Dean, Eastern Nazarene, Elms, Emerson, Gordon, Mass-Boston, MCLA, Simmons, Wentworth, WPI Minnesota (1): Macalester Missouri (2): Fontbonne, 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 (13): Bryn Athyn, Bryn Mawr, Carnegie Mellon, Dickinson, Eastern, Haverford,  Keystone, King's, Misericordia, Swarthmore, Thiel, Widener, Wilkes Rhode Island (1): Rhode Island College Tennessee (1): Rhodes Virginia (2): Mary Baldwin, Marymount The list is not complete nor comprehensive.   A MESSAGE FROM D3PLAYBOOK A moment to say thank you to those who donated to D3Playbook during 2021. Your gift helps us offset the costs of operating the newsletter and enable us to continue to provide the quality you have come to expect. Join them today.   Donate to D3Playbook NEWS 4.  Weekend Preview   Here's a list of the games/matches/events that we are keeping an eye on this weekend ... we hope. Basketball (M) No. 2 UW-Platteville vs. UW-Stout No. 17 Williams vs. Amherst No. 21 Heidelberg vs. Otterbein Complete Schedule Basketball (W) No. 8 UW-Whitewater vs. No. 10 UW-Eau Claire No. 9 Tufts vs. Babson Complete Schedule Ice Hockey (M) No. 4 Augsburg vs. No. 13 UW-Stevens Point No. 5 Hobart vs. No. 8 Norwich No. 11 Aurora vs. No. 12 St. Norbert Complete Schedule Ice Hockey (W) No. 1 Middlebury vs. No. 10 Endicott No. 4 Elmira vs. No. 7 Norwich Complete Schedule Wrestling (M) No. 3 North Central, Ill. vs. No. 4 UW-La Crosse No. 8 Wabash vs. No. 18 RIT Complete Schedule TRANSACTIONS 5.  Comings and Goings   CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT - Dreugh Phillips named head sailing coach EAST TEXAS BAPTIST - Ellen LeClair named head pom coach EUREKA - Hunter Bishop named head volleyball coach NEW JERSEY CITY - Ron Baines named assistant director of career engagement and program development SAGE - Amir Pasic named head men's soccer coach THIEL - Emma Kleckner named interim head women's soccer coach WESTFIELD STATE - Christopher Streeter named head men's soccer coach WITTENBERG - Jacob Rankin named head men's tennis coach 1 THING 6.  A Taco a Day photo courtesy of Taco Bell Taco Bell yesterday launched the Taco Lover’s Pass, "a digital taco subscription service." Through the chain's app, for $10, you can get one of seven different "iconic tacos" a day for 30 consecutive days.   That's a 33¢ taco. >> Why it matters: Given that fast food might be the only business with more copycats than media, look for more "subscription" promotions soon. - courtesy of Axios  Thanks for starting your day with us. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend. What did you think of today's newsletter? Please invite your friends to sign up for D3Playbook

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