The Minnesota Gophers football team has canceled all in-person football activities for Tuesday, after receiving a number of preliminary positive COVID-19 tests.

On Wednesday, the team hopes to return to a normal schedule and continue preparation for their game vs the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday. Here is the statement from the University of Minnesota Athletic Department.

Upon the advice of medical experts, the University of Minnesota football team will not practice on Tuesday and will conduct all meetings virtually as a result of presumptive COVID-19 positive tests Monday. The team’s goal is to return to a regular practice schedule on Wednesday in preparation for Saturday’s game at Wisconsin. An update will be provided when additional test results are returned and more information is available.

Statement from U of M Athletic Department

We talked a lot about COVID-19 in today’s scheduled media appearance with PJ Fleck. He mentioned that players were getting tested, as we spoke to him. It seemed to be standardized testing though, and nothing out of the ordinary. Then, we got hit with this announcement in the evening…

We don’t know how many positive results were returned from today’s tests, but if they are cancelling in-person football activities for tomorrow then it’s significant. If the preliminary positive tests are confirmed by 24-hour lab tests… then who knows what happens next?

I don’t want to speculate on something that hasn’t happened. As soon as we in the media are updated on what happens next, I’ll update you too.

No More Fans at TCF Bank Stadium, Period.

This wasn’t the only COVID-19 related announcement made by the University of Minnesota today. They also announced that their COVID protocols were tightening under Governor Walz’ new restrictions.

Coaches and players are no longer allowed to have family or friends attend games. Apparently, 250 people can’t properly social distance in a stadium meant for 50,000. What a world.

Family and friends of coaches and players will no longer be allowed to attend #Gophers football home games, due to Governor Walz' latest restrictions.

Less media too. What a joke. pic.twitter.com/gwV0vBza0V

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) November 23, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Good news, Minnesota Twins fans! Miguel Sano has been cleared to begin practicing for the upcoming season, according to the team’s Director of Communications and Player Relations, Dustin Morse.

After testing positive for COVID-19 during his arrival to Summer Camp, he had to quarantine until testing negative and going through proper protocols. Not only is it great to have him health, but it ensures we will get to see Sano-doubter home runs sooner, rather than later.

Good news…

Miguel Sano has been cleared to rejoin the @Twins player pool and is set to work out today at Target Field. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/Jy4bzGe7sC

— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) July 15, 2020

Miguel Sanó hits an absolute moon shot to walk-off in the bottom of the 9th, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/J2jEri4Cm3

— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) August 6, 2019

It has been a crazy few months for Sano. Prior to reporting for Summer Camp, he was accused of kidnapping an individual who was accused of raping Sano’s brother. While Sano was not charged, it still has impacted everything surrounding the all-star player, and his life since baseball was postponed. Throw in the positive COVID-19 test, upon his arrival, and I can’t imagine a more hectic time for this young man.

Optimism for the third-baseman — turned first-baseman — is high, entering 2020. After a career year in 2019, it is well-deserved. He hit a career-high 34 home runs, 79 RBI, while batting .247 with a .575 slugging percentage. Sano isn’t expected to hit at a high percentage, but the raw power is always something Twins fans look forward to. He’s here to drop bombas.

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

This evening, the University of Minnesota released their first round of Student Athlete COVID-19 test results. Out of 170 students that were tested, just SEVEN (4%) came back positive for the disease. Here is part of a statement the U of M emailed to media:

The University of Minnesota department of athletics conducted 170 COVID-19 tests during June and seven student-athletes from multiple sports tested positive.

Testing was administered to players from a variety of sports, according to the statement. The 4% positive return rate falls under the nation’s current 7-day running average of 7% (according to Johns Hopkins). That number was closer to 4% last week, though.

Most of the tests administered to the general public, have been given to people with symptoms of COVID-19. You have to wonder what the positive average would be nationwide, should everyone be given the test (symptomatic or not).

U of M Student Athletes Positive for COVID-19

The seven athletes who tested positive, and any positives going forward, will be asked to self-isolate, while being monitored closely by the university medical staff. This won’t be the last bout of testing these athletes endure. According to the statement, another round will be administered before anyone is allowed to resume athletic activity.

Student-athletes who test positive are entered into protocol and are asked to self-isolate. During this time they will have access to all necessary resources and food and will be in daily communication with members of Minnesota’s athletic medicine staff. Student-athletes will undergo additional testing and screening before they may physically participate in team activities. A team physician must also clear the student-athlete before they are permitted to return to athletic activity.  

Contact tracing was conducted and any individual who was potentially exposed was asked to quarantine to help prevent spread of the virus.

This is good news for the University of Minnesota and anyone excited for college athletics to return. Tread lightly, though. We’ll see if the Gophers, and other colleges around the country, can keep that positive rate low.

Once professional and major college leagues around the USA return to their facilities and start releasing test results, how will each league stand against one another? What seems common vs variable around all sports, as athletes around the country return to competition? These are some things to keep an eye on, as we get ready for play.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan