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We are in the early days of the fall season and for many of us that means the return of football. The Big Ten Conference recently announced plans and a schedule for a nine-game football season. Maryland Football will return on October 24 at Northwestern and will host our first home game of the season on October 31, as we take on Minnesota in our annual Homecoming game.
Critically important for our return was the addition of new health and safety protocols, developed by medical professionals including our own Dr. Yvette Rooks. They include:
- Daily Antigen Testing: The conference will require all individuals that are on the field for all practices and competitions to undergo daily antigen testing. Test results must be completed and recorded prior to each practice or game.
- Enhanced Cardiac Screening: COVID-19 positive student-athletes will undergo comprehensive cardiac testing to include labs and biomarkers, ECG, Echocardiogram and a Cardiac MRI.
- Enhanced Data-Driven Decision-Making: Each institution will designate a Chief Infection Officer who will oversee the collection, reporting and analysis of data for the Big Ten Conference.
We are thrilled at the return of football, yet the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has cut us deeply. Our athletic department has instituted a hiring freeze, imposed temporary salary reductions on our highest-earning staff, implemented a 20% department-wide budget cut and will re-evaluate all planned capital projects. Our focus remains fixed on the health of our student-athletes and we are also making additional investments in testing and medical care.
But through hardship, champions emerge. I am so proud to announce that every one of our head coaches with supplemental pay has agreed to up to an additional 10% voluntary pay cut, on top of the University-imposed base pay salary reduction. And our highest-earning assistant coaches with supplemental pay have also agreed to take a voluntary pay cut. In solidarity, I have also volunteered for an additional 10% reduction of my supplemental pay. Every one of these coaches deserve our respect and admiration -- and I want to thank each of them by name.
Brenda Frese
Matt Brady
Sasho Cirovski
Deandre Haynes
Michael Locksley
George Helow
Missy Meharg
Jon Hoke
Cathy Reese
Scottie Montgomery
John Tillman
Bino Ranson
Mark Turgeon
Brenda Frese
Sasho Cirovski
Michael Locksley
Missy Meharg
Cathy Reese
John Tillman
Mark Turgeon
Matt Brady
Deandre Haynes
George Helow
Jon Hoke
Scottie Montgomery
Bino Ranson
Earlier this week we are also announcing a comprehensive fundraising campaign to help our student-athletes continue their success both on- and off-the-field. “More Than The Score” will help Maryland Athletics provide academic support, mental health services, medical care and other support for every one of our student-athletes. I ask that each one of you consider a gift in support of this important effort -- whatever amount you’re able to contribute to this special initiative will help Terrapin student-athletes. You can support our student-athletes here.
With your continued support, I have every confidence that Maryland Athletics will emerge stronger than ever. Although we will not be able to come together for football games this season, we are working on innovative ways for you to remain connected and engaged. Look for some exciting announcements in the coming days.
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