Tough loss: Stanford men’s basketball team falls to North Carolina.
The slogan attached to Stanford football’s official Twitter account? “Whatever it takes.”
The program is putting that into practice, announcing Tuesday morning that, in light of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s emergency directive, the team would move to Seattle this week and Corvallis, Ore., next week to continue its season amid the local bans.
Santa Clara County on Saturday banned contact sports for at least three weeks and issued a 14day quarantine for those traveling into the area from 150 miles away. Stanford is scheduled to play at Washington on Saturday and against Oregon State on Dec. 12.
The Pac12 announced Tuesday that the StanfordOregon State game, previously scheduled to be played at Stanford Stadium, now will be played in Corvallis.
“This decision was made consistent with the Pac12’ s commitment to adherence to all state and local public health orders and directives, and prioritization of the health and safety of our studentathletes,” the conference said in a statement.
Stanford, which canceled Tuesday’s scheduled media availability with head coach David Shaw and selected players, said: “Additional updates will be provided as they become available.”
Shaw is expected Wednesday to make the program’s first public comments since the new health orders.
On Monday, Santa Clara County director Jeff Smith said he expects the threeweek ban on contact sports to be extended.
“Historically, sportsmanship was about building a team and protecting that team,” he said in a news conference. “Coaches, managers and owners used to want to protect their players from damage. Those values seem to have been delayed during the COVID pandemic. If leaders want to protect their teams and communities, they shouldn’t play anywhere until it’s safe. You could imagine a resurgence of teambuilding when the teams spend their time building a community COVID relief fund rather than trying to endanger the community more.”
The Pac12 plans to play its final regularseason games Dec. 19, although no matchups have been announced. If the conference allows Stanford and Washington State to catch up with their canceled game from last month, a move would shorten the trip for Stanford.
In October, the Cardinal rode buses less than 5 miles to Woodside High School in San Mateo County to avoid Santa Clara County’s restrictions on large gatherings.
Neighboring San Jose State relocated to Humboldt County.
“We’re well aware of what’s happening, and I know there are contingencies and preparations for what could come,” Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said Tuesday morning as administration and the operations staff worked on plans if the City of Berkeley and Alameda County follow Santa Clara’s lead. “We’re here to help facilitate whatever we need to do to help our players get a chance to play. It’s an hourbyhour and daybyday battle that we’re in right now. We’ll be good neighbors and teammates, if we need to be.”