Virginia Tech Football Assembles Guidelines for Start of Voluntary Workouts

Photo Credit: Harley Taylor

With the NCAA now allowing small group, voluntary workouts; the Virginia Tech football program announced today guidelines for what will be allowed for these initial workouts.

Of note, both Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock and Virginia Tech President Dr. Tim Sands have signed off on these plans which could be a template for other sports as well.

Here's a rundown of the notable points in the press release.

• Athletes will "undergo screening protocols prior to being cleared to participate and will be monitored on a daily basis."
• Strength coach Ben Hilgart and his staff will supervise workouts.
• Workouts will be limited to the Beamer-Lawson Practice Facility and the neighboring practice fields.
• The locker room and common football areas will not be available at this time.
• All participating athletes and staff "will wear recommended personal protective equipment upon entering team facilities."

Dr. Mark Rogers, the Chief Medical Officer for Virginia Tech Athletics, had this to say about today's announcement.

“Our foremost priority continues to be the health and welfare of our student-athletes and staff, as well as the Virginia Tech and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Mark Rogers. “We will continue to evaluate our protocols to ensure these workouts are conducted in strict adherence with current health and safety guidelines.”

He also added that an "abundance of caution" will be used in regards to sanitization of equipment used between workouts.

Additionally, President Sands made the following comments on approving the start of voluntary workouts for the Virginia Tech football program.

“As our leadership team continues to plan for how our student-athletes will return to competition this fall, we recognize the need for them to have the support and facilities offered by the university,” President Sands said. “We are pleased to see our football players return in small cohorts and following the required public health guidelines. I have confidence that our Athletic Director Whit Babcock and his team will create the right training opportunity and welcome our student athletes with their safety and the entire community’s well-being as a top priority.”

Virginia Tech also said that workouts can begin "this week" with that likely being limited to returning players who were on campus this past spring and not incoming freshmen or transfers as part of the phased approach that most, including VT, are using.