July 21, 2020
1
Hill College Athletics
Response to the Novel Coronavirus and COVID-19 for 2020-2021
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has changed how everyone proceeds with life worldwide. Hill College and Hill College
Athletics has prepared a strategic plan of both reopening campus and planning to move forward. First, and foremost, all
Hill College faculty, staff, students and student-athletes will be expected follow the guidelines and procedures set forth
by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Health and Human Services (HHS), NJCAA, the Governor of Texas and Hill
College. Failure to follow the recommendations can have a potential detrimental effect on not only your life, health and
well-being, but those of your fellow students, student-athletes and the faculty and staff. The athletic department has
created a thorough action plan to get athletics back for the 2020-2021 academic year by following recommendations
from not only the CDC, HHS and NJCAA, but also the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) Presidents Athletic
Workgroup. As a result of this Workgroup, the following recommendations were made:
All member colleges agree that our student athletes are “first and foremost students” and that their health and
safety are of the upmost importance.
Hill College has always stressed the student in student-athlete and will continue to strive to ensure that their
health and safety is always a priority whether on the athletic field or the classroom.
All member colleges agree to develop physical distancing plans for each athletic team that considers the
following:
a. Limiting (when applicable) the numbers of athletes to coaches/faculty/staff in each workout session or any
activity indoors.
b. Length of workout and practice sessions.
c. Mechanisms to conduct student and coaching staff symptom checks.
d. Public health practice: face coverings, 6-feet of physical distancing, cough/sneeze etiquette, hand hygiene
e. Provisions for hand sanitizer and enhanced cleaning of facilities to include regular and frequent cleaning and
disinfecting of surfaces, including, but not limited to doorknobs, tables, chairs, exercise equipment, athletic
equipment, restrooms, and locker rooms.
f. Removal or restriction of possible hazards in common areas such as drinking fountains, furniture and
manually operated doors.
All member colleges agree to create plans for regular wellness checks of all athletes on a weekly basis to check
for symptoms related to COVID-19.
All member colleges agree to establish housing plans for all residential students including athletes
All member colleges agree to establish travel protocols for athletes.
The TACC Athletics Workgroup recommendations has guided the Hill College athletics department in its plan to
return to athletics. The newly created procedures are intended to provide the highest quality care and protection
for our student-athletes. The procedures included in this document will be the expectation when athletics begin in
the fall of 2020 for all student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, student trainers and other individuals who either
participate or assist with the athletic department. COVID-19 is constantly evolving and thus, our procedures will
continue to evolve based on recommendations from the CDC, HHS, NJCAA National Office and the Governor of
Texas.
July 21, 2020
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Hill College Athletics
Return to Campus Procedures:
Overview and TACC Recommendations
Table of Contents
Key Concepts................................................................................................................................................... 3
Phased Return to Athletics .............................................................................................................................. 4
Prior to Arriving on Campus ............................................................................................................................ 4
After Arriving on Campus ................................................................................................................................ 5
Student Services and Life on Campus .............................................................................................................. 5
Team Activities ............................................................................................................................................... 6
Individualized Team Procedures ............................................................................................................................... 6
Practice .................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Weight Room/Fitness Center .................................................................................................................................... 7
Team Meetings/Study Halls ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Traveling to Medical Appointments .......................................................................................................................... 7
Competitions .................................................................................................................................................. 8
Home Games ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
Road Games ............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Hill College Sports Medicine COVID-19 Athletic Training Room Procedures ..................................................... 9
COVID-19 Athletic Training Room Procedures for Student Trainers ............................................................... 10
UNDERSTANDING OF RISK FOR ATHLETICS PARTICIPATION DURING COVID-19 ............................................. 11
APPENDIX ..................................................................................................................................................... 12
I. Hill College Athletic COVID-19 Monitoring Form .................................................................................................. 12
II. Updated Medical History, COVID-19 History Screening & Physical Forms ........................................................... 14
July 21, 2020
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Hill College Athletics
Key Concepts
The athletics department has designed this plan with the assumption that COVID-19 will be here into
the foreseeable future. The timing in launching of this plan was and is contingent on fluidity of the virus
as new and updated information comes available weekly, if not daily. We wanted to ensure that we
were creating a plan with the most current and updated data available, all the while, allowing enough
time for both our staff and the student-athletes to prepare for a new competitive environment. Thus,
this plan must be received with the notion that it can and will be updated regularly as we learn more
about the virus. It is our aim to be no more less restrictive than the guidance and recommendations
that are provided by both state and federal public health agencies. Our return to campus and athletics
will be guided by these encompassing key concepts:
Hill College will continue to follow and update plans, as needed, with the guidance from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State of Texas Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS), the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) and the
Governor of Texas.
Student-athletes will return to campus following the appropriate procedures as described in this
document in order to best ensure the health, safety and wellness of our students, faculty and
staff.
Campus functions will return to a new normal that emphasizes health and safety.
Hill College and the athletic department plans are designed to mitigate the risk of a resurgence
of the virus.
Hill College and the athletics department will provide for regular enhanced cleaning and
sanitizing services including regular custodial cleaning and providing of sanitizing supplies for
use as needed.
Hill College and the athletic department will continue to modify and revise operating procedures
based on updated recommendations from the CDC, HHS, NJCAA and Governor of Texas as
conditions change.
It is with these guiding principles that if we as a collective (faculty, staff and students) abide by the
guidance and recommendations set forth by the above listed entities that we can hope for a normalized
return to campus life and athletic competition. With noncompliance, the primary penalty would be an
increase of infections, the possibility of cancelling a few games, and the potential for loss of the entire
season. We ask our student-athletes and coaches to lead by example and set the standard for
mitigating the risk of infection. By following the guidance and recommendations set forth to reduce the
spread of COVID-19, athletes can return to class and athletic competition.
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Phased Return to Athletics
With the NJCAA’s recent calendar adjustments moving all competition seasons of sports offered by Hill
College to the spring semester, all student-athletes will return to campus and move into the residence halls
during on the college’s normal move in dates beginning on August 20
th
.
Athletic teams will begin fall practices following the NJCAA’s adjusted start dates which allows for a phased
return to athletics.
Prior to Arriving on Campus
One week prior to arriving on campus, student-athletes will begin reporting daily symptom checks and
temperatures to campus for the athletic trainer to review. If any student-athlete reports positive with any
symptom check and reports a fever of 100 F or higher, that student-athlete must see a physician and be
cleared by the individual physician’s protocols prior to leaving home for campus. In this scenario, the
physician’s medical clearance must be forwarded to the athletic trainer prior to leaving home.
Based on current plans, athletes will need to begin forwarding the symptom checks and temperatures on
August 13
th
.
Instructions for procedures of how to report symptoms and temperatures will be forwarded out at a later
date prior to August 13
th
.
If any student-athlete has tested positive for COVID-19, they must have recovered and have a physician’s
release specific to the COVID-19 illness. This release must be forwarded to the athletic trainer prior to
leaving home. DO NOT report to campus if you are currently ill with COVID-19, in the process of being
tested for COVID-19 or having had COVID-19 and recovered without having medical documentation
indicating you may resume normal athletic activities.
Any student-athlete who flies in will need to also wear a face covering the entire trip until arriving in their
residence hall.
Individual team sports coaches are to impress on their student-athletes the importance of being compliant
and ensuring that these procedures are followed.
The symptom check form is located under Symptom Screening in the Appendix section.
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After Arriving on Campus
Once arriving on campus, the student-athlete must complete a symptom and temperature check prior to
leaving their vehicle. This will entail that each student-athlete should possess their own personal
thermometer and have it accessible for use while still in vehicle. If the student-athlete is unable to obtain a
thermometer prior to leaving their home, they should notify their coach prior to leaving so that one can be
made available to them when they arrive on campus.
If the student-athlete presents with a positive symptom and a fever of 100 F or higher, the student-athlete
should stay in their vehicle and notify their coach. The coach should then notify both the athletic trainer and
the Vice President of Student Services for further guidance. The student-athlete should not leave their
vehicle until being contacted by the Vice President of Student Services.
If the student-athlete is flying in they must perform the symptom and temperature check prior to getting in
the vehicle of the designated individual picking them up and be prepared to either return home or
quarantine themselves off campus until cleared medically if they arrive with positive symptoms and a fever
of 100 F or higher.
If the student-athlete does not present with any positive symptoms or a fever of 100 F or higher, they may
then, proceed with normal check in after notifying their coach.
Anyone meeting the criteria of a potential case of COVID-19 will follow campus procedures for handling
potential cases of COVID-19 including anyone that individual has recently been in contact with.
Individual team sports coaches are to impress on their student-athletes the importance of being compliant
and ensuring that these procedures are followed.
The symptom check form is located under Symptom Screening in the Appendix section.
Student Services and Life on Campus
Student-athletes will be informed of, understand and abide by all procedures set in place by student services
including while in the residence halls, cafeteria, classroom and other areas on and off campus.
Student-athletes should plan and be prepared to wear face coverings while in public spaces and utilize
proper hygienic disinfecting practices recommended by the CDC such as frequent hand washing/sanitation,
not touching their faces and socially distancing themselves whenever possible.
Student-athletes will follow and adhere to all procedures set forth by Hill College including in the classroom,
cafeteria and residence halls.
Student-athletes should plan on staying on campus as much as possible and in their designated rooms until
methods of containing COVID-19 become more sustainable nationwide.
Anyone meeting the criteria of a potential case of COVID-19 will follow campus procedures for handling
potential cases of COVID-19 including anyone that individual who has recently been in contact with.
July 21, 2020
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Team Activities
Individualized Team Procedures
Individual coaching staffs will evaluate their daily routines to identify, plan for and implement procedures of
change for their respective teams to include any area above and beyond this action plan utilizing the most
current and up to date data from the CDC, HHS, NJCAA, the Governor of Texas and Hill College.
Practice
Once on campus, student-athletes will need to be prepared to submit a daily symptom check and
temperature check to their coaches.
a. This will need to be completed prior to any physical activity to allow for accurate temperature readings.
b. Coaches may decide how and when they want to perform checks, but they must be performed early in
the day in order to ensure accurate temperature readings and then forward to athletic trainer.
c. A positive symptom with a temperature of 100 F or higher should be immediately reported to the
athletic trainer and the Vice President of Student Services and then isolate and quarantine themselves
until informed of what to do next.
d. Anyone meeting the criteria of a potential case of COVID-19 will follow campus procedures for handling
potential cases of COVID-19 including anyone that individual who has recently been in contact with.
e. Individual team sports coaches are to impress on their student-athletes the importance of being
compliant and ensuring that these procedures are followed.
f. The symptom check form is located under Symptom Screening in the Appendix section.
Hand sanitizers have been installed behind each bench in the gymnasium, and in the home and visiting team
dugouts on the baseball and softball fields and will be with the medical bag for soccer for easy access when
needed.
Disinfecting wipes will be provided to each team for use while at practice for disinfecting common use items
and equipment.
Maintenance and custodial staff have begun and will continue enhanced cleaning and sanitation of campus
including all athletics facilities on a regular basis.
Coaches should plan to perform drills in smaller groups while implementing social distancing protocols when
possible and possibly shorten practices to lessen the chance for exposure. Groups of 15 or less are desirable
when possible.
Although water will continue to be provided at practices, common use items such as water bottles and
towels will not. Student-athletes should plan accordingly for providing and sanitizing daily their own
drinking containers and a towel should one be needed. Sharing of such items is prohibited. Should a
student-athlete be unable to procure their own personal drinking container, the student-athlete should
contact their respective coach prior to leaving home so that one may be provided once arriving on campus.
Student-athletes should plan to arrive and immediately leave when practices have completed and not
congregate in common areas such as the gymnasium lobby or hallway, locker rooms or clubhouses.
If able, coaches of indoor sports should plan outdoor activities, when possible, in order to lessen the amount
of time individuals spend indoors together. When indoors, opening doors to allow for fresh airflow is
recommended.
Student-athletes who are healthy and do not present with any of the COVID-19 symptoms with a fever of
100F or higher are expected to participate in everyday planned team activities.
July 21, 2020
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Weight Room/Fitness Center
Smaller groups of 15 or less are ideal when using the weight room in order to allow for social distancing.
Equipment should not be used without being sanitized between users.
Disinfecting wipes or spray will be made available for disinfecting equipment between uses.
Hand sanitizer will be available for disinfecting of hands when needed.
Team Meetings/Study Halls
Team meetings should be planned with 15 or fewer student-athletes at a time while utilizing established
social distancing procedures.
The length of team meetings should be limited to decrease the amount of time individuals spend indoors
with each other.
All study halls/study groups should plan to be in the library to utilize the library’s established social
distancing procedures.
Traveling to Medical Appointments
Hill College will provide transportation of an injured student-athlete to a medical appointment, when needed, in
one of the school vehicles. When this is the occasion, face coverings will be worn throughout the duration of
the trip and the vehicle will have enhanced cleaning and sanitation between uses.
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Competitions
Home Games
a. Student-athletes will be encouraged to either stay in locker room or be on field or court and not visit
with spectators prior to games
b. Individual drinking cups will be provided during games in lieu of water bottles
c. Bench towels will not be provided. Student-athletes who desire the use of a towel during competition
should be prepared to provide their own. Sharing of towels is highly discouraged.
d. Post-game high 5s or handshakes will not occur to allow for proper social distancing protocols.
e. Once game has concluded, student-athletes are recommended to leave facility as soon as able.
f. It is requested that visiting teams provide a symptom and temperature check prior to leaving their
school and forwarding the results to the appropriate coach.
g. Coaches will need to contact visiting teams and obtain this information when planning for an upcoming
game.
h. Hand sanitizers are provided behind the benches in the gym and in dugouts at the baseball and softball
fields and will be with the medical bags for the soccer teams for when needed.
Road Games
a. Prior to leaving coaches will perform a symptom check and temperature check of all student-athletes
and members of the traveling group including coaches, student trainers and managers.
b. Once the symptom and temperature check has been completed and all members of the traveling group
are negative, the coach will forward the results to both the athletic trainer and the respective home
team’s coach.
c. If any member of the traveling group, has a positive symptom with a fever of 100 F or higher, the coach
needs to contact both the athletic trainer and the Vice President of Student Services. That individual
should then quarantine themselves away from the rest of the traveling group and the traveling group
should stay in place until both the individual and traveling group are informed otherwise from the Vice
President of Student Services.
d. Once the team arrives at the game site, the host team’s procedures should be observed for any member
of the traveling group who begins to show symptoms with a fever of 100 F or higher.
e. Face coverings will be worn while traveling.
f. Buses will have enhanced cleaning and sanitation between uses.
g. Social distancing will be followed as much as possible.
July 21, 2020
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Hill College Sports Medicine
COVID-19 Athletic Training Room Procedures
These procedures are put in place in order to limit the potential risk of COVID-19 infection and
contamination among Hill College athletic training staff, student trainers and student-athletes.
Student-athletes must be seeking medical assistance for entry into the athletic training room. DO NOT
enter unless you are seeking illness advice or injury evaluation, treatment or rehabilitation.
If you believe you may have contracted COVID-19, DO NOT come to the athletic training room. Stay or
return to your dorm room and contact the athletic trainer and your head coach to coordinate further
evaluation.
Upon entry to the athletic training room, individuals must be wearing a facemask, use hand sanitizer, have
their temperature taken and recorded, complete the COVID-19 symptom check sheet and input their
information into the Daily Treatment Log prior to leaving the carpeted area and entering beyond the
entryway.
Individuals will enter the athletic training room one at a time and wait outside for the previous individual to
complete the entry procedures.
Student-athletes may not touch any athletic training equipment without permission of the athletic trainer
including the NormaTec and GameReady and massage tools such as the HyperVolt.
Student-athletes will need to come in, complete what needs to be done and then leave so that other
student-athletes may obtain the services they need.
Maximum athletic training room capacity will be capped at 5 student-athletes.
Tables and equipment will be cleaned and sanitized between uses and common space and surfaces (sign in
area, door handles, cabinets, ice scoops, etc.) will be cleaned frequently throughout the day.
Use of the whirlpool tub will not be authorized unless permitted by the athletic trainer. If used, the tub will
for single use and then drained, cleaned and sanitized after use. The cold tubs/ice baths will not be
permitted as social distance and sanitation protocols are not possible.
There will be no post practice treatments. If ice is desired, an ice chest with ice, bags and plastic wrap will
be placed outside the athletic training room for individual use and application. Thus, all taping, wrapping,
treatment and rehabilitation sessions need to be completed in the morning or prior to practice.
If the bathroom is used, it is expected that it is disinfected after use including using a disinfecting wipe on all
commonly touched areas (toilet seat, flush handle, faucet handle, doorknob, etc.)
The door between the athletic training room and the classroom will remained locked at all times when the
athletic training room is unoccupied and beginning at noon each day.
July 21, 2020
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Hill College Sports Medicine
COVID-19 Athletic Training Room Procedures for Student Trainers
Student trainers must follow the same entry procedures as everyone else, including using hand
sanitizer, a facemask, taking temperature and performing a symptom check.
Student trainers must come in, complete their task and leave. There will not be any “hanging out” in
the athletic training room.
One student trainer may be in the athletic training room performing athletic training room tasks.
These tasks include:
1. Ensuring everyone entering athletic training room follows entry protocols.
2. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of common use areas such as entry area, doorknobs, ice
scoops and etc.
3. Cleaning and disinfecting tables and equipment between uses.
4. Wearing gloves when working with athletes.
5. Other everyday tasks and expectations included with athletic training room coverage and
tasks as assigned.
Student trainers must limit physical contact with any athletic training room supplies and equipment
beyond what is needed to complete their daily tasks and then to clean and sanitize anything they do
come into contact with.
While at practices, student trainers are to:
1. Fill individual athlete water bottles so that the athletes do not come into contact with the
coolers.
2. Assist coaching staff with regular disinfecting of common use equipment.
3. Other everyday student trainer expectations included with their team coverage.
Once practice sessions are completed, student trainers will be expected to clean and sanitize any
and all equipment that was used for the day.
Student trainers need to be prepared to accept other duties as assigned as need arises.
July 21, 2020
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Hill College Athletics
UNDERSTANDING OF RISK FOR ATHLETICS PARTICIPATION DURING COVID-19
By signing below, I understand: (please check in appropriate space and sign at bottom of page)
_____ That COVID-19 is a Novel (new) Coronavirus in which knowledge in its recognition, evaluation and
treatment is constantly evolving and regularly updated.
_____ That as new knowledge is updated in regard to COVID-19, Hill College and the Hill College Athletics
Department will update its plans and procedures as needed.
_____ That Hill College and the Hill College Athletics Department utilizes the recommendations and
guidance of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the State of Texas Health and Human Services
(HHS), the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) and the Governor of Texas in its
response to COVID-19.
_____ That even while utilizing the recommended guidance, not all potential exposure to COVID-19 is
totally preventable and although even when using the greatest of precautions, exposure to COVID-
19 is possible while participating in athletics activities or during everyday life.
_____ That by participating in team sport practices and competitions, the recommended guidance for
slowing the spread and potentially preventing COVID-19 (social distancing and minimizing contact
with others) cannot always be followed and that exposure to COVID-19 can be easier during these
instances. As a result, the coaching staff will plan to utilize the recommended guidance when able
but due to the nature of competition with team sports, the recommended guidance cannot always
be implemented.
_____ That Hill College provides insurance coverage to assist in paying for injuries sustained while
participating in Hill College athletics activities as detailed in the Hill College Athletics Insurance
Authorization Form. As such, this insurance coverage does not assist with any injuries sustained
prior to participating on a Hill College Athletics team, for injuries sustained while not participating in
Hill College athletics activities and illnesses of any sort including testing and treatment of COVID-19.
Hill College and the Hill College Athletics Department will, to the best of its ability: identify, isolate
and assist with obtaining further care for any student exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 following
current recommended guidance in order to aid and assist with recovery and slow any potential
spread.
By signing below, I agree that as a Hill College student-athlete, I will lead by example in following the
recommendations and guidance of the CDC, HHS, NJCAA and Governor of Texas and will abide by, to the
best of my ability, to the Hill College Athletics Department Response to the Novel Coronavirus and COVID-19
for 2020-2021.
____________________________________________ ______________
Signature Date
July 21, 2020
12
APPENDIX
I. Hill College Athletic COVID-19 Monitoring Form
July 21, 2020
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July 21, 2020
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II. Updated Medical History, COVID-19 History Screening & Physical Forms
July 21, 2020
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July 21, 2020
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July 21, 2020
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July 21, 2020
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