TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona Athletics Department will bring student-athletes back to campus, beginning next week, to resume team activities as part of its ongoing re-entry process. Arizona Athletics will continue a phased return of programs back to campus, beginning with football freshmen student-athletes on Monday, Aug. 3. Ongoing participation in day-to-day activities remains a personal decision made by student-athletes.

"Our decision to resume our re-entry process for student-athletes was made after consultations with President Robbins, University leadership, the University of Arizona Re-Entry Task Force as well as our Re-Entry Advisory Group of campus and community medical experts," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. "Our comprehensive and phased approach centers around safety, health and wellbeing as we continue to follow the guidance of campus and community partners. The safe and healthy return of student-athletes has been the focus of all decision making throughout this process, and it will continue to guide us moving forward."

Arizona Athletics has not had any additional positive tests in the last two weeks since the department's previous testing announcement. Those results, released on July 17, included 366 test-encounters to 83 football student-athletes with only three positives as none of the 28 staff members who had already returned to campus to support voluntary physical activities tested positive while on campus.

The athletics department's move to resume its re-entry process is aligned with last week's announcement from University President Dr. Robert C. Robbins that the University of Arizona campus will be open for in-person classes for Fall of 2020 as part of four modalities of learning offered to students.