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Thread: Syracuse head coach Dino Babers is getting ready to start a virtual press conference. Will share updates here.
Babers asked about pauses in practice: "We dropped the ball on the one thing and they were right." This likely relates to the "miscommunication" regarding preseason testing frequency.
Babers said "hopefully" there'll be more practices like the ones they've held in recent days.
Babers said "hopefully" there'll be more practices like the ones they've held in recent days.
Babers said the program is up to 1,450 total tests after the saliva pool last Thursday. AD John Wildhack previously reported five total positives before that most recent round of tests.
"We just hope this continues as students come back to campus."
"We just hope this continues as students come back to campus."
Babers asked more about the larger student body potentially causing issues for a football season: "That's going to be the real key. ... What they do at night reflects what's going to happen to them during the day... That's going to decide whether they play or not."
Babers said there are some players on his team with concerns, others who are good to go: "It's almost like they're deciding whether they're enlisting into the army or not." He emphasized that it's not the same magnitude of a decision, but there is a parallel.
Babers is asked whether's he's considered opting out. Jokes: "I'm not sure I ever saw anything about head coaches being able to opt out." Said he grew up on military bases. "I wouldn't leave these young men behind to do it themselves." Knows the risks of someone his age, tho.
Babers said four missed practices "does set you back." However, he knows this is an unprecedented year and you can't rely on plans or expectations. Has emphasized that with his coaching staff in everything they do. "You need to be flexible but you need to also be rooted."
Babers said he regularly polls his team about who has concerns and that split, which he didn't specify, fluctuates regularly. Some players have health concerns related to Covid-19. Some players have eligibility concerns (not wanting to waste a year on a broken season).
Babers pointed to this Friday's NCAA DI eligibility ruling as a potential turning point for players on the fence about playing in 2020. Could be a major domino in pushing the potential season either way.
Babers reiterates that the fault for an in-house testing frequency "miscommunication" lies with the school. I'll have to go back and listen again for the specific details, but he credited players for properly pausing practice to get tests Thursday.
Babers said he believes there will be increased transparency across the ACC regarding Covid-19 concerns before the start of the season.
Babers asked about NCAA's eligibility decision Friday: "It's going to give young men enough information move somewhere." Said it's hard to see these guys as indecisive. It runs counter to typical football culture. "That gray area, we really don't like."
Babers tells @MinkNate what every one of his subjects has probably felt about his questioning at some point in time: "I love you, but that thing was long."
Babers said the program has had direct conversations with players about myocarditis, the heart issue that's being linked to Covid-19. He's worked to put his players in touch with specialists who can properly answer questions about health risks.
