(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) – The Marquette University men’s and women’s basketball teams have paused all team activities, effective immediately, for a duration 14 days after receiving one positive COVID-19 test result within each program.
The most recent round of testing, conducted on Oct. 19 in accordance with NCAA guidelines, produced two positive results in a total of 45 tests of men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes and NCAA-defined Tier 1 team personnel. All individuals within Tier 1 will quarantine for 14 days.
“Our student-athletes and staff members have been doing a tremendous job in relation to following university and NCAA COVID-19 protocols and that effort has been reflected in our department’s low positivity rate,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Scholl said. “The actions we are taking surrounding the basketball programs are a proactive measure aimed at stopping the potential for increased infection, with the health and safety of everyone involved our highest priority.”
Since August 28, Marquette Athletics has conducted 809 tests of student-athletes and staff, with a total of just eight positive cases. Contact tracing as a result of testing has led to the pause of team activities in a number of programs this fall.
“We have talked as a team on multiple occasions about keeping our focus on what we are able to control when it comes to the impact COVID-19 has had on our lives,” head men’s basketball coach Steve Wojciechowski said. “While there are so many uncertainties with the virus, one action we are able to control is our response to the test results and our efforts as a program to keep everyone associated as healthy and safe as possible.”
“We appreciate our entire community’s efforts to help keep Marquette Athletics and our student-athletes healthy,” head women’s basketball coach Megan Duffy said. “Despite the setback, we are extremely excited to start the season and look forward to being back on the court soon.”
