Pilots Prevent
October 26, 2021
There’s no way around it—competing in college sports requires participating in a litany of COVID-19 no-nos: Hours of close contact with a lot of other people, repeatedly touching shared surfaces, traveling to and from different cities and states—sometimes alongside the general public. To say that navigating the pandemic hasn’t been easy for the UP Athletics department and its student-athletes is an understatement. We asked VP for Athletics Scott Leykam to give us some insights on the challenges.
1. What is the biggest impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on collegiate athletics?
The biggest short-term impact has been twofold: First, a much-needed, and appreciated, emphasis on health and safety policies at practices and games, in the weight room, in the training room, and when our teams are on the road. It was a great opportunity to revisit everything we do with health and safety with our team of physicians and athletic trainers. Some of the policy changes we made because of COVID will stay in our handbook long after the pandemic is over.
Second, a renewed relationship with local professional sports organizations and universities, as well as our local and state government officials. We worked with these partners in very strategic ways in the last 18 months and I sincerely hope that continues well into the future.
The biggest long-term impact has been on the roster sizes of all 16 varsity programs. With every student-athlete receiving an additional year of NCAA eligibility because of COVID interruptions/cancellations, we are already seeing an increase in our roster sizes that will continue the next three to four years.
2. When the pandemic began to change how UP would operate as a University—including UP Athletics—how did you approach those changes?
We approached these changes by recognizing that every day was a new day, and that significant change was always around the corner. One of the most valuable approaches for us was realizing our opponents were also partners, which led us to work closely with other WCC and Pacific Northwest institutions on how to consistently advocate for our industry while at the same time coming up with consistent health and safety policies that were acceptable to city, county, and state officials.
3. How have UP athletes and coaches responded to the challenges and dangers posed by the pandemic?
I couldn’t be prouder of how our coaches, staff, and student athletes have responded to the challenges of the last year. I’d particularly like to commend our Facilities & Operations staff, Athletic Training staff and those who coordinate team travel.
Hosting home games has become infinitely more complicated with all the national, NCAA, and state regulations regarding events, and our Facilities & Operations team has handled those challenges as well, if not better, than any of our peers in the WCC. Our Athletic Training staff took on daily COVID testing for all of the last academic year on top of their normal day-to-day duties. The only constant with team travel the last 18 months has been change, and our in-house staff and travel agency partners have done an amazing job adjusting accordingly and keeping our coaches and student-athletes safe.
4. When we’re another year or two past the threat of the pandemic, how different will collegiate athletics operate?
We will see the financial impact, and resulting hardships, of COVID-19 on collegiate athletics for years to come. One particular area of change will be how teams schedule from a travel perspective. A more regional travel approach will become the new normal for at least a few years to come. This is necessary from both logistical and financial perspectives.
5. If COVID-19 had never happened, how different would UP men’s and women’s athletics look and function today?
It’s hard to remember pre-COVID life in college athletics. My primary focus is on what we learned from COVID and how the experiences of the last 18 months can make us better both on and off the field of play.
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