On Thursday, the SEC made the announcement that it has comprised a task force of medical professionals in order to prepare to make decisions regarding universities return to athletic activities.
The medical professionals represent all 14 SEC teams and will discuss when it will be appropriate for team gatherings, practices, conditioning and competition can return.
The unit is responsible for identifying recommended protocols and best practices teams can take in order to present a safe return to in-person on-campus meetings, individual workouts, out-of-season activities and skill instruction, and practice activities for student athletes and coaches.
“As the Southeastern Conference Office continues to closely monitor and learn about COVID-19 and associated public health information, this task force of medical professionals has begun to provide the guidance necessary to make decisions related to the return to athletics activities for SEC student-athletes and to assist in our collaboration with colleague conferences in determining a safe return to athletics competition,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey in his statement. “The expertise of these medial professionals is playing an important role in our continuing focus on the health and well-being of SEC student athletes.”
The conference has already taken measures in order to suppress the spread of the virus and to protect the health of all involved parties.
The SEC has already cancelled all athletic contests, including conference and non-conference competition, and SEC Championship events for the remainder of the 2020 spring season.
Listed below are he members of the SEC’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force:
- Dr. Jimmy Robinson, University of Alabama-Head Team Physician and Medical Director
- Dr. Chris Arnold, University of Arkansas, Orthopedic Surgeon/Team Physician
- Dr. Mike Goodlett, Auburn University, Chief Medical Officer/Team Physician
- Dr. Clay Clugston, University of Florida, Team Physician
- Ron Courson, University of Georgia, Senior Associate. Athletics Director/Sports Medicine
- Jim Madaleno, University of Kentucky, Executive Associate Athletics Director/Sports Medicine and Performance
- Dr. Catherine O’Neal, LSUHSC Assistant Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases
- Dr. Marshall Crowther, University of Mississippi, Medical Director/Sports Medicine Physician
- Dr. Cliff Story, Mississippi State University, Director of University Health Services
- Dr. Stevan Whitt, University of Missouri, Associate Professor of Medicine, Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases; Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Chief Clinical Officer
- Dr. Zoe Foster, University of South Carolina, Program Director, Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship
- Dr. Chris Klenck, University of Tennessee, Head Team Physician
- Dr. Shaw Gibbs, Texas A&M University, Dean of School of Public Health
- Dr. Warne Fitch, Vanderbilt University, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Associate Professor of Orthopedics
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77