(via USF Communications) - Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 (coronavirus), USF Athletics will conduct all upcoming scheduled home competitions with only teams, essential staff and limited family attendance at facilities until further notice.
The restrictions will be put in place beginning with Thursday’s women’s tennis match vs. James Madison and will also impact baseball, softball and men’s tennis competitions on campus this weekend and in the near future as well as the Bulls Invitational track meet slated for March 20-21. USF football coach Jeff Scott has also elected to reschedule the spring football practice previously scheduled for today to a later date to be determined. USF is still assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the remaining spring football practices, set to resume on March 24 following the university’s spring break next week, and the spring football game, set for April 18.
“After consulting with university leadership, I have made the decision that it is in the best interest for the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, fans and the community at large to conduct our athletic competitions for a period of time in the absence of fans,” Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly said. “We will continue to monitor closely the impacts of COVID-19 and consult public health resources as we assess the need for further adjustments moving forward.”
Scheduled USF Athletics events will continue to have broadcast and media coverage. USF will live stream as many contests as possible as well as continue to provide audio coverage on Bulls Unlimited channels 1 and 2 on iHeartRadio.
Fans who have purchased individual game tickets or season passes are being automatically reimbursed by USF ticket office for the games missed due to the new measure. Refunds will be processed back to the form of payment used for the original purchase. All purchasers will be contacted once the refund is processed. Fans with questions may contact the USF ticket office at 1-800-GoBulls.
As directed by the Florida Board of Governors, USF will join other state universities in beginning to transition all classes to remote instruction as soon as possible. For USF, fully remote instruction will begin March 23, following next week’s spring break. This will continue through at least April 5. Student support functions, such as counseling and advising, will continue remotely.
USF’s campuses will remain open and many normal university operations will continue, including Student Health Services and USF Health clinical operations. USF residence halls remain open, however students are encouraged to remain off campus during this time, if other reasonable accommodations are possible.