Return of UTRGV Athletics

But women’s basketball paused–for now

Karina Rodriguez | THE RIDER

UTRGV Athletics has tried to provide a glimmer of hope by bringing back games but has been met with many obstacles such as the recent pause of women’s basketball due to a COVID-19 case within the program. 

UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque provided information about the sports that will be returning during the Spring 2021 semester. 

“So, it will be all 16 of our sports [and] all of our student athletes from those 16 sports,” Conque said. “As you know, basketball is competing and they’ve been training and competing since the end of November. Then, all of our other sports will start competition in the spring.” 

He also explained when fans can anticipate being able to see games.

“So, right now, it is basketball,” Conque said. “We’re working with the IDC, the Infectious Disease Committee, on campus just like we did with basketball. We’re now looking at our plans for soccer, men’s and women’s soccer, for baseball, and for men’s and women’s … tennis. And we will do the same for track.” 

UTRGV Athletics will not comment on whether the recent COVID-19 case was a student athlete, trainer, coach, medical personnel or physical therapist, but did clarify that it was a member of Tier 1 personnel. People classified as Tier 1 personnel are members of the program who come into direct contact with the players.

Conque said that fans can expect the game experience to be different from the experience they had pre-COVID.

“So, we do wellness checks, temperature checks on every fan, every media member as you come into the venue,” he said. “You’ll see a lot of social distance markers to make sure that folks are mindful of social distancing. The restrooms look different to promote social distancing. Concessions, like I said, we’re contactless with our concession sales. … It’s inconvenient, but it’s really, it’s necessary. We don’t allow food or drink in our venue, and so fans must keep their masks on at all times.” 

UTRGV Head Basketball Coach Lew Hill said his apprehensions are not just for the safety of his athletes but for his fellow staff as well. 

“I think we don’t talk about the coaches’ health and safety a lot,” Hill said. I mean, everything is about the kids, which it should be. But I have assistant coaches that have families as well and I have a family. So, it’s just, we’re putting our lives on the line, just like the players are. So, I think that needs to be brought up more as well.”

UTRGV Men’s Basketball forward Jeff Otchere said he feels comfortable playing basketball amid COVID-19 because of the precautions that are being taken.

“I don’t really have any concerns,” Otchere said. “I feel like everybody’s taking this pretty [seriously]. I feel like we’re taking it pretty [seriously]. I feel like the people that we play against [are] taking it serious and I feel like the whole NCAA in general is taking it [seriously]. So I do feel like I am safe.”