Boise State requires athletes to sign COVID-19 consent form prior to offseason workouts
Boise State has joined college athletic departments around the country in requiring athletes to sign a consent form explaining their risk of contracting coronavirus while on campus for offseason workouts.
Boise State added several questions and acknowledgments pertaining to COVID-19 to it’s 22-page Intercollegiate Pre-Participation Medical History & Physical Examination packet, which the Idaho Statesman obtained through an open records request.
Topping the list of new coronavirus-related acknowledgments, players are asked to consent to Boise State’s mandate that all athletes undergo symptom screening and testing for COVID-19 and its antibodies before taking part in athletics.
They’re also asked to initial a box acknowledging that they understand by participating in athletics at Boise State University they are at risk of contracting COVID-19 and will report all symptoms to the team’s medical personnel.
Boise State athletes are also required to consent to the following:
▪ I understand that it is important to my own health and safety and the health and safety of those around me that I provide truthful information concerning any possible exposure to coronavirus and/or symptoms of COVID-19 to my athletic trainer/physician.
▪ I understand that in the event that I test positive for COVID-19, information regarding my positive test will be shared with the appropriate Boise State medical personnel and reported to the required reporting agencies as established by Idaho.
▪ I understand that I have the right to talk to my athletic trainer/physician regarding any questions or concerns I may have about SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 and my health and safety in general, and that I have been encouraged to do so at any time.
Question No. 77 in Boise State’s medical history is new. It asks if players have been a) tested for the virus or its antibodies b) been exposed to anyone who may have tested positive c) recently experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 or d) traveled outside of their home state or country.
Players are also required to agree to an extensive list of health standards established by the athletic department, including self-isolation for a minimum of 14 days and removal from team activities and workouts following a positive COVID-19 test.
Self-quarantine may also be required if an athlete is exposed to an infected individual. Other protocols designed to limit transmission include:
▪ Wearing masks at all times in athletic facilities and while on the Boise State campus, except when proper social distancing can be guaranteed during outdoor workouts.
▪ Athletes will be issued a refillable water bottle and will be responsible for providing it daily at training sessions.
▪ Immediately reporting any symptoms to athletic trainers.
▪ Not coming to the athletic facilities and/or events (including treatments, rehab, meetings, practice, individual workouts, strength & conditioning training sessions, etc.) if symptomatic.
▪ Practicing physical and social distancing measures on and off campus.
▪ Washing hands thoroughly for a minimum of 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer when entering or leaving a location outside your home, including campus facilities.
▪ Refuel stations within athletic weight room facilities are no longer self-serve for student-athletes, with food items being distributed by sport performance coaches and staff.
Boise State’s pre-participation packet doesn’t constitute a legal liability waiver as much as an acknowledgment of risk and an agreement to abide by the university’s COVID-19 protocols.
Below the new coronavirus questions on the medical history, players are asked to sign and give their student ID number certifying “my answers are complete and correct and that any fraudulent information may make me ineligible for intercollegiate athletic competition and or athletically related financial aid at Boise State University.”
SMU, Indiana, Iowa and Tennessee have required athletes to sign formal legal waivers. Much like at Boise State, Ohio State players were asked to sign the “Buckeye Pledge,” which requires them to fully participate in all COVID-19 safety protocols or risk not being allowed to take part in workouts or practices.
College athletes all over the country have tested positive for the virus since the NCAA began allowing voluntary workouts on June 1. At Houston, six symptomatic players led to the suspension of all team activities. At LSU, at least 30 players have been quarantined, and on Friday, Kansas State suspended all activities after 14 players tested positive.
Boise State football and soccer players began returning to campus during the first week of June. On June 8, the school confirmed multiple athletes tested positive for COVID-19 but declined to specify how many or which sport they played.
On Monday, Boise State announced it was closing all campus facilities and suspending offseason workouts after eight positive tests in 48 hours. The university did not specify if any of the positive tests were from athletes.
