UNLV athletes can return for voluntary workouts next week

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Friday, June 5, 2020 | 4:08 p.m.

UNLV announced it will begin allowing athletes to return to campus for voluntary workouts on June 8.

Football, volleyball and women’s soccer players can return to campus beginning on Monday. Men’s and women’s basketball, cross country and men’s soccer can return on June 15.

Players who choose to participate must adhere to health and safety guidelines such as COVID-19 testing and daily temperature checks. Athletes will also be provided with masks and will be required to wear them at all times (except during physical workouts).

Social distancing has to be maintained during workouts, meaning there will be no physical contact between athletes. Players must also self-quarantine locally for 14 days before they can participate in on-campus workouts.

“We are encouraged by this first important step,” athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois said in a statement. “We have been thoughtful and methodical in defining our process in this phased-in approach.”

While players can begin returning on the aforementioned dates, not everyone will be able to get started right away. Some UNLV basketball players, such as Florida-based newcomer Edoardo Del Cadia, have to make their way to Las Vegas, then quarantine for two weeks before they’ll be allowed to jump on the court.

Getting athletes back on campus in any capacity is an important step toward starting the 2020 season. Players dealt with disparate circumstances during lockdown, with some having access to gyms and weight rooms and trainers, while others were relegated to dribbling in their driveways in order to stay sharp.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.