Mountain West Athletes Come Together For COVID-19 Protections In #MWUnited Letter

Mountain West athletes wrote a letter asking for protections from COVID-19 and eligibility protections.

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Mountain West Athletes Come Together For COVID-19 Protections In #MWUnited Letter

Players unit for some requests

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Mountain West becomes third league to unite

The Mountain West joins the Pac-12 and Big Ten to unify as players with a list of requests they want to have done for the 2020 season during COVID-19.

Saying these are demands are a bit strong but what the Mountain West players are wanting precations and protections if parts of the season are lost do to COVID-19.

There are many players that have signed on to the #MWUnited cause.

As for what the players are asking for are really reasonable and common sense in three categtories.

Testing, Prevention, and Safety

  • Athletes will receive COVID-19 tests every week and 72 hours before a game.
  • Staff, coaches, trainfers, and anyone in contact with athletes needs to be tested weekly.
  • Strict cleaning protocols that follow CDC guidelines.
  • Contracat tracing according to CDC.
  • Accomidations and safety standards for alternative outdoor facilities to adhere with social-distancing guidelines.

Eligibility and Scholarship

  • Athletes who choose to opt-out due to COVID-19 concerns will receiver a hardship waiver to grant them an additional year of eligibility regardless of athelte’s timeline on the five-year clock.
  • Athletes who contract COVID-19 during the season, and miss more than 30 percent of competition will receive a hardship waiver for an extra year of eligibility no matter where they are within the five-year clock.
  • If 50 percent of the scheduled season is canceled than all athletes will gain an extra year of eligibility.
  • Preserve scholarships and benefits and roster spot for athletes who are granded a hardshp waiver due to COVID-19.

Player Assurances

  • Ban and void all COVID-19 waivers.
  • Ensure coverage for all out of pocket medical expenses related to COVID-19 incurred by athletes five yers after eligibility is over.
  • Whistleblower protection for athletes and staff who report suspected violations of COVID-19 safety protocols.

These are all very reasonable asks for the players toward the league. The eligiblity could be an issue due to schoalarship limits and costs but that is a small price the school can pay to ensure these Mountain West athletes get the full college atheltic experience.

The whistleblower protection is extremely important and that might have something to do with Colorado State looking into possibly wrongdoings on campus or the complaints Hawaii football players had about testing a few weeks ago.

Next, we will see what the Mountain West higher ups decide to do with what these athletes are asking for.

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