Washington Athletics Update On COVID-19
Washington Athletics COVID-19 Information & Resources
COVID-19 Update (July 10 - 5:10 p.m. PT)
Statement from Director of Athletics, Jen Cohen
"We are supportive of today's Pac-12 announcement to move to conference-only scheduling for the fall. This decision was made with the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff as the top priority. With many uncertainties ahead, the decision to move to a conference-only model provides the safest environment and greatest flexibility for our 12 institutions. While many details regarding specifics around scheduling and timing are yet to be determined, we want to thank Husky Nation for its steadfast support, let them know we are diligently working to prepare for this fall, and will share details as they become available."
COVID-19 Update (July 10 - 4:01 p.m. PT)
Pac-12 CEO Group Announces Decision to Schedule Conference-Only Play for Several Fall Sports & to Delay Move Toward Mandatory Athletics Activities
The Pac-12 CEO Group announced today that the fall season for several Pac-12 sports, including football, men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball, would schedule Conference-only games, and that it is delaying the start of mandatory athletic activities, until a series of health and safety indicators, which have recently trended in a negative direction, provided sufficient positive data to enable a move to a second phase of return-to-play activities. The CEO Group made clear that it hopes to play football and all other fall sports provided that it can meet the health and safety needs of its student-athletes and obtain appropriate permissions from state and local health authorities. Today's decision will result in the start dates for the impacted sports being delayed. The decision is effective immediately across all Pac-12 member universities and was made following a meeting of the Pac-12 CEO Group earlier today.
"The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports continues to be our number one priority," said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott. "Our decisions have and will be guided by science and data, and based upon the trends and indicators over the past days, it has become clear that we need to provide ourselves with maximum flexibility to schedule, and to delay any movement to the next phase of return-to-play activities."
"Competitive sports are an integral part of the educational experience for our student-athletes, and we will do everything that we can to support them in achieving their dreams while at the same time ensuring that their health and safety is at the forefront," said Michael Schill, Pac-12 CEO Group Chair and President of the University of Oregon.
Pac-12 student-athletes who choose not to participate in intercollegiate athletics during the coming academic year because of safety concerns about COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarships honored by their university and will remain in good standing with their team.
The Pac-12 has developed a series of potential fall sport scheduling models including Conference-only schedules and delayed season starts. Details on Conference-only schedules will be announced no later than July 31.
For more information, click here.
COVID-19 Update (July 9 - 3:45 p.m. PT)
Washington x Michigan Football Game Cancelled
Based on the Big Ten Conference's announcement that its member schools will not play any non-conference football games this coming fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington's game vs. Michigan, scheduled for Sept. 5 at Husky Stadium, has been cancelled.
For the time being, this cancellation is the only change to the 2020 football season. Additionally, plans to re-schedule the home game vs. Michigan for a later season will be announced once they're made.
"Earlier today Warde Manuel notified me of the Big Ten's decision to play a conference-only schedule this fall, cancelling our Sept. 5 game with Michigan at Husky Stadium," said Jennifer Cohen, Director of Athletics. "Our fans and football program have been looking forward to this game for several years, but we understand this decision was made due to the impact of COVID-19 and prioritizing the health and well-being of student-athletes. Warde and I are currently in the process of discussing details on a future return date and will provide updates as they become available."
If any additional changes are made to the UW's 2020 football schedule, an official announcement will be made as details become available. Season ticket holders can expect to receive an update from the ticket office in the near future.
COVID-19 Update (July 7 - 12:42 p.m. PT)
Back-to-School Town Hall
As our state continues its phased reopening, the UW recognizes that many have questions about how the pandemic will affect fall quarter. Ana Mari Cauce will host a virtual town hall on 7/10 @10:30 a.m. w/ a panel of UW leaders to address these questions & more.
For more information, click here.
COVID-19 Update (June 29 - 3:44 p.m. PT)
Previewing autumn quarter at the University of Washington (Message to Seattle students)
UW President Ana Mari Cauce and Provost Mark Richards have provided an update about autumn quarter instruction, campus health and safety requirements, and an overview of campus life so our community can begin making plans for the fall.
For more information, click here.
COVID-19 Update (June 12 - 5:44 p.m. PT)
Washington Athletics Planning For Student-Athlete Return To Campus
University of Washington Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) has constructed a comprehensive plan to begin bringing its student-athletes back to campus. The phased plan, in accordance with University, King County and Pac-12 guidelines, would see the first group of student-athletes return to Montlake the week of June 15 for voluntary individual workouts.
For more information, click here.
COVID-19 Update (April 8 - 4:32 p.m. PT)
UW Announces Updates on Summer Quarter and Commencement
The full and A terms of summer quarter will be offered remotely. No decision has been made about B term, which begins on July 23, 2020.
Commencement will be held on June 13, 2020, with a one-of-a-kind, live, worldwide and interactive webcast. This dynamic and personalized experience will be the first time that graduates of all three of our campuses will have the opportunity to celebrate commencement together. Further, this year's graduates are also invited to take part in and receive special recognition at the 2021 commencement exercises for all three campuses.
For more information, click here.
COVID-19 Update (March 30 - 3:50 p.m. PT)
NCAA Division I Council extends eligibility for student-athletes impacted by COVID-19
The Division I Council on Monday voted to allow schools to provide spring-sport student-athletes an additional season of competition and an extension of their period of eligibility.
To view the full release from the NCAA, click here.
COVID-19 Update (March 30 - 9:33 a.m. PT)
Pac-12 statement on student-athlete athletic activities
The Pac-12 announced today that following a meeting of its CEOs, it has made the decision to extend its previously announced suspension of organized team activities through May 31, with certain limited exceptions based upon student-athlete well-being, and with periodic re-evaluations over the coming weeks should circumstances warrant a change in policy.
For more information, click here.
COVID-19 Update (March 19 - 6:45 p.m. PT)
UW Athletics Cancels Events, Training and Workouts Through Spring Quarter
The University of Washington athletic department has announced it will cancel all athletic-related activities and events, including workouts, training and practices, as well as football's Pro Day & Spring Game, through the end of the spring quarter (June 5) for all student-athletes. Department leadership and the medical team will continue to assess and monitor the situation and be ready to make appropriate decisions based on guidance from health officials about resuming athletic-related events and activities. This decision was made in accordance with campus, state and CDC officials and follows the university's announcement Wednesday to move the entirety of Spring Quarter to online-only learning to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Update (March 18 - 6:08 p.m. PT)
Spring quarter classes will be held remotely
Spring quarter will begin as scheduled on March 30, with remote instruction that will continue through the end of the quarter.
For more information, click here.
COVID-19 Update (March 14 - 12:01 p.m. PT)
Statement from Pac-12 Conference
At a meeting of the Pac-12 CEO Group and Athletic Directors earlier today, the Pac-12 made the decision to cancel all Pac-12 conference and non-conference sport competitions and Pac-12 championships through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year. This decision follows both the Pac-12's earlier decision to suspend all sports until further notice, and the decision by the NCAA to cancel the Division I men's and women's 2020 NCAA basketball tournaments as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships.
In addition, the Pac-12 Conference has made the decision to prohibit all organized team athletically-related activities until at least March 29, at which time it will revisit this decision.
COVID-19 Update (March 13 - 8:27 p.m. PT)
New state guidance will inform spring quarter instruction and operations
Today Governor Jay Inslee announced new measures requiring the University of Washington, and all higher education institutions in the state, to discontinue in-person instruction on our campuses through April 24.
For more information, click here.
COVID-19 Update (March 12 - 1:16 p.m. PT)
UW Athletics Suspends Events, Training and Workouts Until After Spring Break
The University of Washington athletic department has announced it will suspend all athletic-related activities and events, including workouts, training and practices, through the end of the winter quarter and Spring Break (March 29) for all student-athletes. Department leadership and the medical team will re-assess the situation at the start of the spring quarter (March 30) to make a decision about athletic-related events and activities moving forward.
COVID-19 Update (March 12 - 9:35 a.m. PT)
Statement from the Pac-12 Conference
The Pac-12 Conference has made the decision to cancel the remainder of the Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament and all Pac-12 sport competitions and Pac-12 Championship events, effective immediately, until further notice. This decision has been made in consultation with our member universities in an effort to limit the spread of the virus and in the interest of the health and safety of our student-athletes, campus personnel, working and event personnel, and all those who attend Pac-12 events.
COVID-19 Update (March 11 - 9:05 p.m. PT)
Washington Athletics Postpones Softball Game Against USA National Team
USA Softball has made the decision to postpone the Seattle, Hillsboro, and Eugene "Stand By Her" tour stops. This decision was made with the best interest of the health and safety of all players, staff, and fans within the softball community.
Washington is still scheduled to play Utah this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with those games closed to the public. Any updates or changes to that schedule will be made public as soon as possible.
Ticket Refund or Exchange Information
Single-game ticket purchasers for gymnastics, baseball and softball (including all tickets purchased for March 12 vs. USA Softball) will automatically receive a credit equal to their amount of purchase on their account, which could be applied toward any future UW athletics ticket purchase this year or in the 2020-'21 athletic year. Single-game purchasers preferring a refund rather than a credit, may fill out this ticket refund form. Season-ticket holders will also receive credit for the number of games restricted, and more information will be communicated as the number of games impacted becomes available.
COVID-19 Update (March 11 - 12:45 p.m. PT)
Washington Athletics Announces Modifications to Home Events
Following today's actions by Washington Governor Jay Inslee to limit event crowd sizes to less than 250 people across King County until further notice during the evolving COVID-19 situation, the University of Washington athletic department has announced measures, including restricting spectators at home events, to adhere to this new policy. Our hearts go out to those impacted by COVID-19, and we and our student athletes understand the critical importance of protecting those most susceptible to the virus.
Effective immediately, attendance at all home athletic events will be restricted to competing student-athletes, coaches and essential working personnel only, which includes credentialed media members, until further notice. In addition, student-athletes' families & recruits will be permitted to attend home events.
As of now, all scheduled games will proceed as planned in their previously announced location.
University of Washington athletics will continue to work with university leadership and take direction from local & state officials, including guidelines from King County, as this evolving situation progresses. Any updates moving forward will be available here. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Ticket Refund or Exchange Information
Single-game ticket purchasers for gymnastics, baseball and softball (including all tickets purchased for March 12 vs. USA Softball) will automatically receive a credit equal to their amount of purchase on their account, which could be applied toward any future UW athletics ticket purchase this year or in the 2020-'21 athletic year. Single-game purchasers preferring a refund rather than a credit, may fill out this ticket refund form. Season-ticket holders will also receive credit for the number of games restricted, and more information will be communicated as the number of games impacted becomes available.
COVID-19 Update (March 10 - 6:57 p.m. PT)
The Baylor University women's tennis team and Samford University men's tennis team have elected to not travel to Seattle this weekend. As a result, Friday's (March 13) men's match with Samford and Saturday's (March 14) women's match with Baylor have been cancelled.
The COVID-19 situation and its impact on athletic department operations is rapidly changing. Up-to-date information on COVID-19 from the university can be found UW.edu/Coronavirus.
COVID-19 Update (March 10 - 6:07 p.m. PT)
The University of Washington athletic department continues to take guidance from Public Health – Seattle & King County on the COVID-19, which has given guidance to practice social distancing. Governor Inslee has made it known over the course of the last few days that additional measures to mandate enforcement on social distancing at large events could be coming in the days to come. The athletic department will continue to adhere to recommendations and policies from state and local officials. In anticipation of the implementation of additional actions for social distancing at large events, the University of Washington athletic department will stop ticket sales to upcoming spring sporting events until further direction is given by state and local health officials. This evolving situation remains fluid and individuals are encouraged to visit this page for further updates on COVID-19.
Additionally, state and local officials have announced recommendations to King County residents aimed at reducing their risk of exposure to COVID-19. People at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible, including public places with lots of people and large gatherings where there will be close contact with others.
People at higher risk include:
- People 60 and older
- People with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes
- People who have weakened immune systems
- People who are pregnant
The COVID-19 situation and its impact on athletic department operations is rapidly changing. Up-to-date information on COVID-19 from the university can be found UW.edu/Coronavirus.
COVID-19 Update (March 6 - 7:36 a.m. PT)
The University of Washington announced Friday additional precautionary health measures to support the region's efforts against COVID-19. Beginning Monday, March 9, classes on campus will no longer meet in-person and will migrate to online-only for the remainder of the winter quarter. Campus will remain open to serve students and community members who rely on services, including hospitals and clinics, dining services, residence halls, and recreation and athletic facilities. University of Washington athletics events will proceed as scheduled.
Additionally, state and local officials have announced new recommendations to King County residents aimed at reducing their risk of exposure to COVID-19. People at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible, including public places with lots of people and large gatherings where there will be close contact with others. People at higher risk include:
- People 60 and older
- People with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes
- People who have weakened immune systems
- People who are pregnant
The COVID-19 situation and its impact on athletic department operations is rapidly changing. Up-to-date information on COVID-19 from the university can be found UW.edu/Coronavirus.