PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - While University of Pittsburgh’s Athletic Director Heather Lyke is ultimately disappointed with the decision that no fans will be allowed in attendance at Heinz Field in the month of September, she tells The Fan morning show she understands.
“I did expect in the end there’d probably not going to be as many fans as we had hoped, but we, we certainly understand the gravity of the medical condition, we rely on our medical health experts and the importance of keeping our community safe and our fans safe and healthy is paramount and a high propriety so we understand the decision for sure and we’ll adjust,” said Lyke.
Lyke says they rely on their medical team and will test players in high-risk sports like football three times a week when the season starts. If someone is symptomatic they are tested more frequently.
Lyke adds those players are currently tested once a week.
While some conferences like the Big Ten have postponed their seasons until the winter or spring, The ACC is moving forward and Lyke is confident they can play safely.
A few weeks ago, Pitt’s football practice was canceled after several players showed symptoms of COVID-19 but those tests came back negative and practice was able to start up again.
Lyke adds they are being conservative and smart about how they are handling coronavirus that that any test that comes back positive is taken seriously.
The Panthers open up their season on September 12 against Austin Peay at Heinz Field.