USC Aiken's choral and athletics program continue heightened preventative measures against COVID-19

In light of a recent CDC guidance regarding heightened risk of transmission in school sport and band practices, USC Aiken’s programs have maintained increased preventative measures.

Dr. Joel Scraper, director of choral activities, states that “to date, we have had very few instances where students tested positive.”

The current safety measures in place in the choral program include limiting the size of the ensembles to accommodate for social distancing in rehearsal rooms, requiring masks and “covering of instruments” and limited time in the rehearsal rooms, Scraper listed. 

Jim Herlihy, director of athletics, shared that the faculty in the sports program work to “ensure guidelines are communicated and implemented,” listing Director of Sports Medicine and Covid Coordinator Brandon Aiken, Assistant Athletic Trainers Clarissa Wilburn and Emily Moore as the staff that work alongside head coaches. 

“The NCAA has a medical advisory council that meets every couple of weeks with recommendations and guidelines for schools in all three divisions of the NCAA,” Herlihy stated. 

The medical advisory board for the NCAA reviews “emerging COVID-19 research and data” to then implement protocols regarding “training, practice and competition.” 

“The Peach Belt Conference President’s Council, of which Dr. Heimmermann is a member, reviews all recommendations and votes on implementation decision,” wrote Herlihy. 

While the NCAA does not mandate testing protocols, USC Aiken Athletics follows the Peach Belt Conference’s mandate and has continued testing. 

Additionally, student-athletes must be tested within “48 to 72 hours of each scheduled contest,” depending on their vaccination status. 

Positive cases have “been very low, even with a large sample size,” said Herlihy; “we follow the guidelines of our campus covid coordinators,” and the same guidelines apply to the visitors on campus attending games.