GAC announces spring sports return protocols

RUSSELLVILLE — The GAC’s Council of Presidents established return to play protocols for spring sports.

Teams must have seven healthy players to compete in volleyball while teams with six or fewer players due to positive

COVID-19 test or contact tracing will not be able to play for a no-contest. Games that are lost due to COVID-19 can be rescheduled, but it will not be mandatory. The makeup game will be in league standings.

Face coverings must be worn by student-athletes and all personnel. Only players and officials actively taking part are exempt.

All 12 teams will qualify for the GAC Championships and conference win/loss percentage determines seeding. The teams that take the higher seeds will host first round and quarterfinal games on April 6 and 8 while the final four will be hosted on a campus location on April 10 and 11.

Opening night for the 10game divisional season is Tuesday with four games: UAM at Harding, SAU at HSU, SEOSU at Oklahoma Baptist, and Arkansas Tech at OBU. On Wednesday, NWOSU hosts East Central and SWOSU faces Southern Nazarene.

For tennis, coaches, team personnel, players and event staff must wear masks or face covering, and only the players and officials engaging in the match are exempt.

For baseball, soccer and softball, coaches and student-athletes are required to wear face masks when not actively playing or participating. When talking with student-athletes and when social distancing is not possible, coaches have to wear a mask.

Fans will be unable to attend GAC indoor events until Jan. 31.