WKU ATHLETICS WILL PROVIDE ANY RELEVANT LOGISTICAL INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO ITS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THIS PAGE WHEN APPROPRIATE.
TESTING
With a large volume of sport programs returning, WKU Athletics in conjunction with its medical partners opted to perform COVID-19 antibody testing on returning student-athletes, coaches and staff beginning in early July.
The antibody test was administered to identify those individuals who have potentially come in contact with the virus and therefore may be at risk for cardiopulmonary side effects. Those who test positive will receive further cardiopulmonary testing and clearance by a specialist before being cleared for physical activity and sport. WKU Athletics and its medical partners consulted with several infectious disease specialists and medical staffs at other institutions both in the state and nationally before finalizing this change in protocol.
All student-athletes, and staff in direct contact with student-athletes, that made their first arrival to campus between July 4 and the beginning of the fall semester underwent this protocol.
The results of the first round of testing can be found here: https://goto.ps/3fvGF5s
Other key dates:
August 24 – WKU Football schedule announced
August 21 – Update on WKU Athletics’ Fall Sports Competition; Conference USA Board of Directors announced the postponement of fall team sports (with the exception of football), as well as fall C-USA championships in those sports, to the spring of 2021
August 5 – WKU-Chattanooga football game moved back; Fall camp delayed because of later season start and as precautionary measure related to program’s recent COVID-19 test; Voluntary workout activities continue in meantime
July 31 – WKU Soccer program placed on two-week pause following additional COVID-19 testing
July 27 – WKU Soccer student-athlete tests positive for COVID-19; First student-athlete positive case since return to campus in June
FALL SPORTS UPDATE
The Conference USA Board of Directors has announced the postponement of fall team sports (with the exception of football), as well as fall C-USA championships in those sports, to the spring of 2021. This move comes following the NCAA Division I Board of Directors’ decision to move Division I fall championships to spring. The sports affected for WKU Athletics are women’s soccer and volleyball.
A decision is still being made on the C-USA competition timeline for cross country in the 2020-21 school year. More information will be provided when available.
Other C-USA sports that participate in the fall but hold their championship in the spring, such as golf and tennis, can compete this fall at each member institution’s discretion. WKU will still pursue fall competition opportunities for men’s golf, women’s golf and women’s tennis.
TESTING RESULTS
WKU has launched a new website, wku.edu/healthyonthehill, to support the reopening preparations underway across the institution. With the launch of this site, WKU also launched a new COVID-19 case dashboard that will be updated weekly to include confirmed cases within the whole campus community as reported by the Barren River Health Department or reported to WKU’s COVID-19 Response Team.
Moving forward, as PCR results within WKU Athletics are received, any positive case counts will be included in the University dashboard updates. Athletics will provide any relevant updates from its area as deemed appropriate.
CONTACT TRACING/QUARANTINE
WKU Athletics’ restart plan since its inception has included protocols for the thorough care and support of any student-athlete or staff member who required testing or who had a positive test, as well as diligent contact tracing and quarantine contingencies to mitigate the risk to others.
WKU is following the lead and guidance of the Barren River Health Department in regard to isolation, quarantine, contact tracing, and in the case of athletics, the eventual return to physical activity and sport for positive cases.
BIG RED RESTART PLAN
WKU Athletics announced in late May its portion of a comprehensive university proposed restart plan. Utilizing a staggered approach, the proposed plan began with a partial return of the WKU Football team for voluntary workouts starting June 8.
The full Athletics plan can be accessed at https://www.wku.edu/restart/athletics/
INTERVIEWS
From August 3: “Beyond the Hill” Podcast with WKU Sport Psychologist/TOPCARE Coordinator Joey Case: https://goto.ps/2Xw8oM7
From July 20: “Beyond the Hill” Podcast with WKU Medical Director Dr. Chaitu Malempati: https://goto.ps/2OMFBOU
From June 6: “Beyond the Hill” Podcast with WKU Associate AD of Sports Medicine/Athletic Training Mike Gaddie: https://goto.ps/3eQv2EO
From June 1: “Beyond the Hill” Podcast with WKU Director of Athletics Todd Stewart: https://goto.ps/2MikgLO
HAF/TICKET OFFICE
WKU Athletics will allow fans to visit the Ticket Office starting July 6th. Fans will be allowed in Diddle Arena from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
All fans will be required to enter at ENTRANCE 2 only. All fans must be wearing a mask to enter Diddle Arena at this time.
Our staff will also check temperatures of all guests entering Diddle Arena. You will be required to list your name and telephone number. Any temperature above 100.4 will not be allowed in the building.
Fans will only be allowed to visit the Ticket/HAF Office and no other areas in Diddle Arena. Should you have any questions or concerns related to your tickets or HAF donation please send us an email or leave a voicemail and one of our staff members will reach out to you directly.
HILLTOPPER ATHLETIC FOUNDATION CONTACT
Phone: 270-745-5321
Email: HAF@wku.edu
WKU TICKET OFFICE CONTACT
Phone: 1-800-5-BIGRED
Email: Tickets@wku.edu
Log in to your account at WKUTickets.com
SEASON TICKETS/HAF CONTRIBUTIONS
WKU Athletics has announced new plans to provide fans and donors with additional flexibility and options for season ticket packages for all fall and winter sports, as well as Hilltopper Athletic Foundation contributions.
More information on those plans can be found at the following link: https://goto.ps/2xiLVs7
SUMMER CAMPS
To help ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and campus colleagues, WKU Athletics will not host any summer youth camps in June, July or August.
GENERAL UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
WKU has also developed a webpage with information related to the university’s plans as a whole for COVID-19. You can access that information at the following link: https://www.wku.edu/covid19/
