Hunter
12/22/20
The University of Iowa Football Program has shut down in-person operations due to increased coronavirus cases.
In a statement Monday night, Athletic Director Gary Barta referenced the morning announcement of 14 positive cases within the athletic department. Based on additional positive tests and contact tracing, Barta said the medical staff made the decision to pause in-person activities for at least five days. Barta said the team will continue to follow Big Ten Conference medical protocols and participate in daily rapid antigen testing.
Barta added that the team fully expects to play in next week’s TransPerfect Music City Bowl in Nashville. That game is scheduled for December 30th, with a 3pm kickoff.
Head coach Kirk Ferentz echoed Barta’s statement, saying that he met with the Player Leadership Group and they overwhelmingly want to play in the bowl game. The team will continue to prepare a game plan using available technology.
The positivity rate for coronavirus among the Athletic Department last week was 3.2 percent; the week before, it was less than one percent. Since testing began at the end of May, the overall positivity rate is at 2.8%.