Due to developments related to COVID-19, the SIAC previously announced that all Countable Athletically Related Activities, including team and individual practices, meetings, and other organized gatherings, were cancelled through the end of the academic year. After further consideration, the following SIAC Student-Athlete CARA policies become effective May 1st, 2020:
- No organized, in-person CARA of any type, in any location, in any sport through as of June 1, 2020. This does not prohibit voluntary CARA performed by student-athletes, on their own time and at a safe location. Student-athletes are asked to follow applicable public health and safety guidelines and community restrictions.
- On-line supervised, "Virtual CARA" physical workouts and skill instruction are not permitted through at least June 1, 2020 regardless of location.
- "Virtual CARA", non-physical activities, are permitted with the following restrictions:
- All "virtual CARA", non-physical activities, including film study, are limited to eight hours per week in all sports.
- Only NCAA Division II "certified" coaches may conduct these "virtual" team meetings, chalk talks, film study sessions,
- technical discussions, tactical sessions and other non-physical activities.
- Committed prospective student-athletes may be involved in "virtual" activities or team meetings providing they do not involve physical activities as long as the institution has received: a signed National Letter of Intent or the written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution has received his or her financial deposit in response to admission.
- It is required that coaches provide two days off each week from "virtual CARA" non-physical activities.
- No coach can penalize any student-athlete for not participating in any "virtual CARA", non-physical activities.
- All "virtual CARA", non-physical activities, required by teams/schools must end by one weTek prior to finals for the spring 2020 semester.
- After such time, all sports would be considered out of season (i.e. summer bylaw 17 restrictions) and only voluntary CARA per 17.02.17 could occur.
- Coaches may continue (with no restrictions) to communicate (via phone, computer, social media, etc.) with student-athletes for the purpose of "checking-in" regarding academic work and student-athlete well-being.
- Coaches can recommend written, self-directed workout plans provided they are approved in accordance with proper procedures as outlined by each institution's appropriate sport performance, medical and/or athletic training personnel. These plans should be in accordance with the NCAA Recommendations Preventing Catastrophic Injury and Death.
- Taped demonstration videos on respective workout plans are allowed in order to demonstrate proper form and technique. Institutional personnel may not supervise, conduct or monitor workouts on or off-campus, or virtually.
- In-person, on-campus meals and nutritional supplements may be provided in situations where student-athletes are unable to leave campus. Off-campus nutritional supplements are limited to the permissible items as outlined in NCAA Bylaw 16.5.1(e)