SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana athletics department began a phased reopening plan Monday, June 1, to allow student-athletes back on campus for voluntary athletic activities.
 
"Feeling the energy and seeing just some of our student-athletes back in our facilities has been a sight for sore eyes," said Augustana Director of Athletics Josh Morton. "As a department, we can help show the way as we all work toward our whole campus getting back together.
 
"We understand that everything we do between now and the end of August can help bring our community back together."  
 
The reopen plan was developed by Augustana's Medical Director and Team Physician Dr. Scott Boyens and Head Athletic Trainer Brian Gerry, and approved by the Augustana Scenario Planning Task Force. The 18-member task force recently announced the Viking Flex Plan, which will include both face-to-face and virtual components to most courses, and reflects a commitment to in-person curricular and co-curricular experiences for the university's students.
 
The phased athletics reopening plan will allow student-athletes to return to Augustana's athletic facilities and participate in unorganized athletic activities over the course of a three-week period. Effective June 1, the phased reopen plan first allowed student-athletes from the Sioux Falls Metro Area to return to campus. The second phase, set to begin on June 8, will welcome back fall sport student-athletes. The phased approach will eventually allow for all student-athletes to return on June 15. 
 
The health and safety of student-athletes and staff will remain the top priority with policies that include: 

• A pre-screening prior to receiving approval to use Augustana athletics facilities, which includes reviewing educational materials regarding new COVID-19 protocols in place.
• Daily check-in measures upon entry including temperature and daily symptom checks.
• Route mapping for entry and exit in and around the Augustana athletics facilities.
• Enforcement of social distancing guidelines and requiring face masks when those guidelines are not possible (i.e., weight room spotting).
• Reporting for workouts in their own gear, leaving immediately at the conclusion of their workout and locker rooms will only be accessible for personal hygiene (i.e., washing of hands and use of the restrooms).
• The completion of thorough post-session cleaning and disinfecting prior to the start of any new training sessions.
• Capacity will be limited in indoor venues with specific sign-up times for student-athletes.

 
Under the first phase of the plan, locker rooms, the fueling station, equipment rooms and other shared spaces will remain closed. Under the second and third phases, these areas will be reopened based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local government officials, the medical community and sport governing bodies.
 
The final phase of the plan is full integration and returning to fall sports teams championship seasons, along with beginning the Fall 2020 semester on-campus at Augustana. The decision to continue the return to activity recommendations during this time frame has yet to be determined. We will await the recommendations from the CDC, the Governor of South Dakota, the mayor of Sioux Falls, our medical community, and sport governing bodies to determine if daily screening will still be recommended, and if social distancing rules will begin to lighten up. This is a living document and as the community of Sioux Falls begins to open up as the summer progresses then so too can the Augustana University community.