Back in business

I assume you’ve heard the news, but in case you haven’t, the NCAA did what it was expected to do yesterday.

“Voluntary” is doing a lot of work there, but in any case, we’re getting what we need to start back to a 2020 college football season.  The announcement was coupled with the usual caveat.

“We encourage each school to use its discretion to make the best decisions possible for football and basketball student-athletes within the appropriate re-socialization framework,” said council chair M. Grace Calhoun, the athletic director at Penn. “Allowing for voluntary athletics activity acknowledges that reopening our campuses will be an individual decision but should be based on advice from medical experts.”

Ain’t gonna lie — it’s exciting to get some normality back, or at least what passes for normality these days.  Just ask this guy.

My feelings can best be described as a hope for the best for all concerned, coupled with the realization there’s no way the decision makers have all the answers yet.

McGarity would not discuss specifics, other than to say that any return likely would come with many guidelines and restrictions.

“Strict adherence (of guidelines) and education for everyone associated with the program is going to be critical,” McGarity said. “Whenever we return, habits will have to change because our life has changed, thanks to the virus. We can’t ignore that and act like it’s business as usual. That probably won’t produce a good result.”

I’m keeping my fingers crossed.