SMU Joins Ohio State in Requiring COVID-19 Waivers for All Student Athletes

The SMU athletic department announced on Tuesday that student athletes would be required to sign COVID-19 waivers before returning to campus, joining Ohio State University in what may become a national trend for NCAA programs.

The school outlined its plan via the athletic department's Twitter, stating that athletes would receive both a COVID-19 and antibody test upon arrival, and strict social distancing and cleaning measures would be instituted.

SMU's plan seems to account for all possible problems, with athletes returning in small waves, and sanitization and distancing measures strictly enforced. In order to avoid liability and the spread of the virus, many programs will likely have to institute similar measures.

The Dallas Morning News obtained the waiver from an anonymous SMU athlete and published it online. According to reporter Sam Blum, the document is largely an "acknowledgment of risk" for the returning athletes, and it must be signed to return to campus. However, an athlete's refusal to sign would not affect his or her scholarship and eligibility.

With COVID-19 cases beginning to spike in many states, many schools will likely adopt a similar waiver in order to bring athletes back to campus for voluntary workouts. After schools like Alabama had athletes test positive for the virus, many athletic programs will likely exercise caution with their return plans.

SMU appears to have a well-founded plan for athletes to return, but widespread concern remains that having a football season could be difficult for some schools. However, if other schools follow SMU's lead, preventing the spread of the virus through diligent cleaning, testing, and distancing measures could make a season possible.

While Blum acknowledges that it is unclear whether the waiver is legally binding, it is a smart move for the athletic department, and one which shows care for the health of student-athletes by giving them an option of whether to return to campus.