U-M pauses workouts for four sports due to COVID-19 test results, tracing protocols

Michigan Athletics announced on Tuesday night that it would be pausing voluntary workouts for field hockey, volleyball, swimming and diving, and ice hockey due to COVID-19 testing results and “contact tracing protocols.” The news was first reported by Ethan Sears of The Michigan Daily.

Ice hockey will return to work this week while the three other programs will get things rolling again on Aug. 3.

MLive’s Aaron McMann was first with the news stating that the football team is unaffected and that their workouts will continue as planned.

Here’s the full statement from the athletic department:

“With a focus on student-athlete health and welfare, U-M has paused voluntary summer workouts for four sports - field hockey, volleyball, swimming and diving, and ice hockey. Ice hockey resumes workouts this week, and the other programs are scheduled to resume workouts starting the week of August 3.

Workouts in these sports have been paused due to a combination of COVID-19 test results and contact tracing protocols. Our medical experts are providing the necessary care and communication to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and those who have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive.”

The program tested 94 athletes and coaches/staff last week with four positive tests on July 20-21. 559 student-athletes have been tested for the virus so far with a total of 12 positives since testing began. One staff member has received a positive test — which took place during testing last week — since returning to campus and this 729 students/staff have been tested in total. Results from the program have been released on Friday afternoons.