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The NCAA took a big step toward bringing college athletics back this fall Wednesday, announcing that it will officially allow athletes to participate in voluntary activities on campus beginning on June 1.
The athletes allowed to participate in such activities are limited to football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball players, with the designated period for team activities to run from June 1 to June 30. But a successful resumption of organized activities for these sports should open the door for others soon enough, with the Division I Council expected to vote on returns for more sports in the coming weeks.
Many questions still loom following this decision, with the primary concern being how and when returning athletes will be tested for COVID-19. The NCAA is expected to place no mandate on testing, allowing for schools and states handle that aspect of the process.
Returns to campus won’t uniformly occur on June 1 either necessarily, as that process will be at the discretion of state and local governments, as well as university officials. Prince George’s County has the most confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state, which could play a factor in the university’s decision.
It’s been almost 70 days now since all sports in the United States were put on hold, with college sporting spectacles like the NCAA Tournament being cancelled this season due to the ongoing pandemic. But Wednesday’s decision could be a turning point for fall sports being played on schedule in 2020, though nothing is guaranteed at this point.
In other news
Lila reunited another classic Maryland team on the latest edition of Back with the Squad, this time bringing together the 2003-04 Maryland men’s basketball team. Check out this week’s episode for some all-time Gary Williams moments and an inside look at the team’s ACC Championship run.
Current Maryland wide receiver Dontay Demus Jr. and Terp legend Vernon Davis broke down what makes Washington D.C. a football hotbed and what their city means to them on this week’s episode of #Unlocked.
"We are built different. The talent grows off your hunger."
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) May 20, 2020
DC natives @_godof5 and @VernonDavis85 talk about the talent and mentality that comes out of their area.
Watch #UNLOCKED - https://t.co/LhHVtR6GTH pic.twitter.com/uGmkJzbWsX
Maryland football also dropped some sweet VD wallpapers:
Repped the hometown.
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) May 20, 2020
Became an All-American and a Top-10 pick.
Won a Super Bowl. Made Pro Bowls. @VernonDavis85 is a Maryland icon. #WallpaperWednesday pic.twitter.com/AWLpPgDCgr
Maryland women’s basketball head coach announced that Lindsey Spann will serve as an interim assistant coach for next season.
Thrilled to announce Maryland native Lindsey Spann will serve as interim assistant coach for the 2020-21 season!
— Maryland Women’s Basketball (@umdwbb) May 20, 2020
➡️ https://t.co/27uONq6I13#TerpFamily // #MarylandPride pic.twitter.com/Bc61mRdSqH
Frese also had a graduation week message for Miss Consistency, Stephanie Jones.
Happy Graduation Week, Stephanie Jones!
— Maryland Women’s Basketball (@umdwbb) May 21, 2020
Few people can do what you did for four years - bring consistency, hard work and positivity every day! We are so proud you are part of our #TerpFamily! ❤️#Classof2020 // @stephmj24 pic.twitter.com/DLyQ45L0Ut
Two years ago today, Maryland men’s lacrosse punched its ticket to its fifth consecutive Final Four with a 13-8 win over Cornell.
#OTD - May 20, 2018
— Maryland Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) May 20, 2020
Maryland punched its ticket to its 5th straight Final Four with a 13-8 victory over Cornell in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Terps win in May #BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/ZyztCYdNhi
Maryland women’s lacrosse released an episode of “Thumbs Up.”
Quarantine edition of Thumbs Up! ? Yes please.
— Maryland Women's Lacrosse (@MarylandWLax) May 20, 2020
Episode Four: @LizzieColson is joined by Vic L'Insalata, Madison Hine and Maddie Sanchez for a virtual game of Heads Up! pic.twitter.com/9YYLPeNyyE
Maryland baseball’s Chris Alleyne and Benjamin Cowles were on the Big Ten leaderboards before the season was cut short.
⚡️ on the basepaths ♂️ @chris_alleyne2 and @benjamin_cowles both ranked in the top five of @B1Gbaseball this year in stolen bases with six each#DirtyTerps pic.twitter.com/hZNDthNz6I
— Maryland Baseball (@TerpsBaseball) May 20, 2020