Letter From The AD: July 2020 Edition

Dear Bobcats,

As we enter the month of July, I hope everyone was able to enjoy a safe and healthy Independence Day holiday this past weekend. With each passing day, we get closer to the start of the 2020-21 academic and athletics season and we understand there are many questions about our immediate future. We recently compiled a list of FAQ's pertaining to our fall sports season. I encourage you to review and contact us if your questions were not addressed or are still unclear. We will continue to update you and this list as any information changes.

Montana State University recently announced an earlier start to the fall semester and Move-in-Week is now scheduled for August 10-16. For the latest MSU campus news and updates on the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the online campus resource here.

We have recently seen an increase in COVID-19 cases in Montana and Gallatin County, and the Bobcat Athletics administrative team continues to work on contingency plans for the 2020-21 athletic and academic year. I am proud of our relationship with Bozeman Health and how our policies and procedures have worked thus far. As we pay particularly close attention to our athletic department operations during this time, our Bozeman Health team physicians and Bobcat athletic trainers continue to screen each student-athlete as they enter our facilities. Enhanced physical distancing, cleaning and laundering protocols are still in place. Facial coverings are being worn by all staff and student-athletes when physical distancing is not possible and when anyone is in a common area like concourses and restrooms. As a reminder, here is a summary of our Phase II facility operations:

1.	All entrances will remain locked, except for the north entrance outer doors, for general public access to the Bobcat Ticket Office windows. We still encourage fans to call us with any questions or concerns at 994-CATS.
2.	Student-athletes are required to check-in and out of the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse with mandatory screening procedures.
3.	Face coverings should be worn when social distancing cannot be achieved and required in common areas within the facility.
4.	Enhanced cleaning and sanitization schedules have been established.
5.	Athletics staff will have reduced, scheduled office time. Those that can continue to work remotely are encouraged to do that.
6.	Common gathering spaces such as lobbies, locker rooms and public restrooms will be minimized to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
7.	The weight room and gym space will be utilized for voluntary workouts only.
8.	The athletic training room and academic center are open for in-person meetings on an appointment-only basis.

As the cases have risen in recent weeks, we have made some adjustments to our operations for the week of July 6. Out of an abundance of caution, we have paused student-athlete workouts. Once we return to activities, we will adjust the workout group size, close some common spaces like locker rooms, continue to analyze all ancillary operations such as the fueling station and make modifications where necessary. It is vital we continue to implement and follow procedures that provide the safest and healthiest environment for our student-athletes, coaches and staff and make changes when the circumstances dictate.

I continue to be impressed with the strength of our student-athletes with the issues they are facing today. As mentioned last month, Bobcat student-athletes achieved a 3.52 cumulative GPA for the spring semester and 84% were above a 3.00 while conducting most of their classes remotely. I have also witnessed them come together as the Student Athlete Advisory Council is planning their course of action to combat the current social and racial injustices in our world. I, like you, am always proud to be a Bobcat and recently that has only intensified with the interactions with our student-athletes.

With all the unknowns we deal with on a daily basis, we continued to have several Bobcat student-athletes recognized for their efforts in competition and in the classroom. Two former women's basketball players, Fallyn Freije and Claire Lundberg, signed to play professionally in Sweden, joining Peyton Ferris in continuing their careers in Europe. Big Sky MVP Fallyn Freije and senior football standout Derek Marks were honored as our conference's Scholar-Athletes while a sixty-nine of our student-athletes were named to the Big Sky's Spring All-Academic Teams. We also had our second Academic All-American selected for this past academic year as Manhattan native Alec Nehring was named a First Team recipient.

Construction of the Bobcat Athletic Complex is in full swing and I invite all of you to watch the progress with our live webcam here. You can also view our entire Athletic Masterplan for details on the project. We thank all of you, our fans, alumni, donors and partners who helped make this dream a reality.

As we continue to work with local and state health officials regarding safely holding sporting events in the future, we are preparing for multiple scenarios, including potentially reducing capacity for the upcoming year. We are committed to consistent, transparent communication with our supporters during this uncertain time. We intend to release detailed information and/or plans for all possible scenarios within the next month. It's important to remember that we will need your support as we navigate this new normal. It's going to take every member of our Bobcat Family to get us safely back in Bobcat Stadium, Shroyer Gymnasium, and the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

As always, and especially during this time, we thank you for your commitment and support to not only Bobcat Athletics, but Montana State University, our community and our state. We all want nothing more than to return to a state of normalcy. We want to gather on campus, especially in Bobcat Stadium and Shroyer Gymnasium this fall to cheer on the Bobcats. To do that, we must do our part. If you can't physically distance, please wear a mask. Join Coach Choate and the entire Bobcat Athletics staff in the commitment to continuing to do our part to #StopTheSpread so we can see you soon.

In Bobcat Spirit,

Leon Costello

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Letter From The AD: July 2020 Edition

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