FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State football is officially one step closer to normalcy.

The program announced on Sunday that the staff as well as a “controlled and limited” number of student-athletes will begin a phased return to campus for voluntary workouts beginning Monday, June 8.

According to a release from the athletic department, the plan is for an initial group of 35 student-athletes to begin the workouts on Monday before the rest of the roster is phased into the mix over the ensuing weeks.

In an effort to keep things as safe as possible, the athletic department is adhering to guidelines from CSU’s Pandemic Planning Team as well as local, state and federal health authorities. As such, there will be a variety of plans in place regarding health, social distancing and general sanitation processes.

First and foremost, all student-athletes will be tested as part of their physical exam to return to athletic competition.

From there, though, their symptoms will be monitored daily, including checking out athletes post-workout. This process includes checking for fever and/or other symptoms.

Along with closely monitoring the health of the student-athletes, CSU will enforce social distancing practices by limiting the amount of individuals participating in each workout and holding everything outside. This may change a few things — especially considering how luxurious the indoor training areas are — but with safety being the biggest priority, it makes sense to work out in the fresh air.

In addition to everything listed above, equipment will be sanitized after every use, and the staff and students will receive education about COVID-19 prevention, public health guidance and COVID-19 symptoms.

Finally, CSU does also have a plan in place for addressing any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, including steps aimed to quickly mitigate the spread of the virus and contact tracing.

While there is still a long road to the 2020 football season, the fact that the Rams are able to begin working out together in early June is an extremely encouraging sign for the future. Obviously, we will have to monitor the situation closely. But the momentum is definitely trending in the direction of having football in Fort Collins this fall.

Additional Info

• Other sports like volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and soccer, are all expected to begin phased returns in early July.
• As discussed with Niko Medved on the DNVR Rams Podcast, the Mountain West will allow institutions to schedule a second non-Division I opponent in men’s basketball.
• Volleyball will use a 16-match modified double-round robin schedule.
•  Softball conference schedule will change from having three-day series to two (double-header and single game).
• Eliminated tournaments: 1. Men’s and women’s tennis, 2. Men’s and women’s soccer.
• Swimming championship and diving championship will be hosted at separate venues on MW campuses over three days.
• Reduced tournaments: 1. Men’s and women’s indoor track & field, 2. Men’s and women’s golf tournaments (Three days to two).  3. Men’s and women’s outdoor track & field (Four days to three).