FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

Dr. Acula, rscl, jknezek:

You all make very good points. As Mr. Ypsi and RFM posted over on the MIAA board, the same question as Dr. A.  What happens if a couple of DIII schools in our conferences opt for on-line classes only with no students on campus, then how would that affect the other conference schools who are doing otherwise?  I suspect, at least at the DIII level (and I can see this certainly being the way our MIAA would choose) that the comference administrators would mandate that all schools need to agree to have the same plan for either on campus students or a hybrid model for football and all the other sports to be held this fall. I don't see that any of our schools would go against that- it is either everyone "all-in" or "all-out."

As you all point out, this entire situation is a mess at ALL the divisions. Harbaigh said he would be in favor of playing even if in an empty Michigan stadium, although that is probably unlikely. I believe, though, as you do, that there will most likely be DI FBS (probably some FCS) football. As to the others , I truly am unable to make an opinion on that right now. We continue to work on scenarios and guidelines for the athletic training and medical aspects and everyone will be anxiously awaiting what the decisions will be later in this soon-to-be month of June.

BTW, jknezek, that is interesting about your work situation with regard to football attendence. I can see the rationel with that, although I can also see some of your colleagues being upset with that policy.

Thanks for your opinions, gentlemen. We'll all keep updated on this.

(Edited for typos)🙂

[jknezek]

BTW, jknezek, that is interesting about your work situation with regard to football attendence. I can see the rationel with that, although I can also see some of your colleagues being upset with that policy.

Thanks for your opinions, gentlemen. We'll all keep updated on this.

No one is too upset yet in my office, but we are also still working from home. Others in the company have reported back to work or were never working from home and the policy is corporate wide. It wasn't limited to football games, though that was what my boss focused on in his addendum. The policy itself reads... 

"Any location, outside or inside, where social distancing rules were violated for a significant period of time or unable to be followed at all. Attendance at these events, including but not limited to examples such as professional and amateur sporting events, theme parks, concerts, and school events, is considered "high risk". Employees should inform their team leaders before attending such an event if possible or before returning to work after so alternative work arrangements can be made for a period of at least two (2) weeks. These arrangements may include working from home, when applicable, or working from a separate office environment if necessary."

There is a lot more boilerplate about PTO vs sick leave and when you can use sick leave but basically the company is setting ground rules that if you go to one of these events, there are consequences. Working from home isn't the end of the world, as I've been doing it for months and agree it has both benefits and drawbacks, but working in a quarantine type space would be annoying. Especially as it is even more likely you will come in to contact with someone exposed in a "possible exposure office space."

[formerd3db]

jknezek:

Got it! Thanks for the follow-up and clarification. One of my son-in-laws and I were just talking yesterday about those very work issues you noted. He has been workimg from home and has the same mixed opinions about a return to the office as do others, although his job is one of a hybrid i.e. working both at home and in the office during the week.

My wife and I are also anxious about our youngest daughter as she works fir Hope College and her job could be in limbo if there is no return of on-campus students this fall, although so far, she has been working from home and Hope has the financial means not to have furloughed  employees so far. Take care.

[rscl70]

I posted this on a couple of other boards, but wanted to share it here.This is not a good sign...University of Michigan's president has announced that IF they decide on not having on-campus students this fall, there will be NO football. No time frame was given fie the final decision, however, they'll have to decide this by early July, IMO. Decision will, of course, be based on what the situation is with the coronavirus at that time and according to state and federal and local guidelines/mandates.

If there is no football at U of Michigan, I believe that will be the death bell ring for MIAA, DII GLIAC, and NAIA football in Michigan.

Mount Union has announced plans to return to in-person instruction in the fall.  How dormitories will be handled I have no idea.  As far as I know, no decision has been made by the OAC regarding fall sports.

rscl70

Are you sure? What's your source? I hear something different. 

57 here's the source.   https://www.mountunion.edu/alert

[MUC57]

rscl70

Gotcha. Thanks for the story. We both knew of Mount's approach but described it differently. Mount's solution seems to be generally spoken of as "hybrid". That is, at any one time, some of the students are in the class room (face-to-face) and the rest are working remotely (on-line). It will not be like it usually is.
I guess this is just a question of semantics. You and I understand the proposed solution.
Don't we? Stay safe buddy, and Go Raiders! 🎓 😷  🍺

[raiderpa]

No matter how you feel about the corona virus and all that has taken place, as we go into June, July, and August I feel that people will get increasingly fatigued and frustrated by any continued denial of things.  It is wearing thin and from what I witness in my area, Stark County, Ohio people are getting more lax and more back to normal, even if it is not recommended. Barring a secondary outbreak, I think that 2 months from now all restrictions will be gone and it will be "take your own risks". 

[MUC57]

No matter how you feel about the corona virus and all that has taken place, as we go into June, July, and August I feel that people will get increasingly fatigued and frustrated by any continued denial of things.  It is wearing thin and from what I witness in my area, Stark County, Ohio people are getting more lax and more back to normal, even if it is not recommended. Barring a secondary outbreak, I think that 2 months from now all restrictions will be gone and it will be "take your own risks".

raiderpa

I think you're right!     

[formerd3db]

No matter how you feel about the corona virus and all that has taken place, as we go into June, July, and August I feel that people will get increasingly fatigued and frustrated by any continued denial of things.  It is wearing thin and from what I witness in my area, Stark County, Ohio people are getting more lax and more back to normal, even if it is not recommended. Barring a secondary outbreak, I think that 2 months from now all restrictions will be gone and it will be "take your own risks".

raiderpa:

I think you will be right in some aspects, however, not all-I do not believe all restrictions will be lifted by August  (perhaps they will be in your own county and obviously you know the underlying atmosphe and specifics there as I do not.) I can tell you for sure that in the medical field, there will be some restrictions and "new norms" which will be permanent when it comes to seeing your primary care physician, outpatient surgery, and hospitalizations as well as in athletic training and care of athletes in youth sports, high school and college. As to the pros, perhaps not, but that is a "different atmosphere" as we all know.

[reality check]

My program is in the Final Four in the state of AZ of a national helmet design tournament.  If you feel so inclined (and have twitter), please vote for Combs. 

The twitter poll is linked here.

Thanks for voting!

[hsbsballcoach7]

A YouTuber that makes videos for college football did a nice 10 minute tribute to Mount Union if you're interested.
https://youtu.be/S4k0ulRHXvQ

[raiderpa]

Anyone out there hear of if and when D3 football is returning to the field? Our local high school athletes are conditioning every day.

[hsbsballcoach7]

Anyone out there hear of if and when D3 football is returning to the field? Our local high school athletes are conditioning every day.

I haven't heard or seen any official written details, but I've seen a decent number of college guys practicing together around town with no coaches... Like a typical summer workout, but spacing out of course.

[edward de vere]

Well, we Americans are  currently running a great medical experiment, involving large numbers of young, excited people engaging in physical activity in close proximity to one another, usually outside in warm weather but sometimes inside (though briefly) in air-conditioned buildings.

If there's a significant increase in Wuhan virus cases in the coming days, weeks and months as a result of this activity then it won't look good for football.

[Pat Coleman]

Hey, uh, let's stick to coronavirus or COVID-19, ok?

[edward de vere]

Why?