UNC has revealed its initial plans for returning student-athletes, coaches and staff to campus for the fall 2020 semester.

Following the university’s announcement of a modified fall academic calendar, the athletics department said on Friday that staggered groups will return to campus in order to test for COVID-19. The first group will arrive to campus on June 12.


Here is UNC’s complete schedule:

June 1

All department facilities will be cleaned and disinfected to prepare for arrivals. Community protective equipment (CPE) and cleaning supplies will be allocated to ensure proper distribution and availability.

June 8

Sports medicine prepares for the arrival of student-athletes.

June 12

Football coaches and staff, men’s and women’s basketball coaches and staff, and Group 1 football student-athletes return to campus for COVID-19 testing. Testing for Men’s and Women’s Basketball coaches and staff may be delayed based upon alternative return dates.

June 15

Football coaches, staff, and Group 1 football student-athletes prepare for the 2020 season and begin assessments and physical conditioning. Men’s and women’s basketball coaches and staff prepare for return of teams and the 2020-21 academic year. Athletics director’s office, equipment staff, strength and conditioning coaches prepare for 2020-21 academic year and return of teams and personnel.

June 19

Men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s Soccer and volleyball coaches and staff and Group 2 football student-athletes return for COVID-19 testing.

June 22

Group 2 football student-athletes begin assessments and physical conditioning. Men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball coaches and staff prepare for return of teams and the 2020-21 academic year.

June 26

Group 3 football student-athletes return for COVID-19 testing (assessments and physical conditioning begin on July 29).

June 29

All remaining football student-athletes return for COVID-19 testing (assessments and physical conditioning begins on July 1).

July 6

Men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes return for COVID-19 testing (assessments and physical conditioning start on July 8)

July 13

Men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s Soccer and volleyball student-athletes return for COVID-19 testing (assessments and physical conditioning begins on July 15).

August 3

All additional winter and spring sport coaches, staff and student-athletes prepare for return of teams and the 2020-21 academic year.


Student-athletes are encouraged to self-quarantine or wear a mask in public and social distance for at least a week prior to returning to campus. Daily activity schedules for each group of student-athletes will be managed to avoid potential exposure to individuals who have not been tested for COVID-19.

Football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and fall sport program coaches, staff and student-athletes will be tested for COVID-19. 

Student-athletes who initially test negative will be re-tested after 7-8 days and again if they become symptomatic. Personnel and students who choose not to be tested will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

More information about UNC’s plans for student-athletes, coaches and facility staff can be found on the university’s official athletics website.

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