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Written Recap

University of Florida Athletic Director, Scott Stricklin, joined LEAD1 CEO & President Tom McMillen as a guest for LEAD1’s second episode of “The LEAD1 Angle.” There is perhaps no better person for LEAD1 members to hear from at this time given that Stricklin recently announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 last month.

Stricklin, who indicated that he now feels “back to normal,” obviously lives in Florida, a recent hotspot for COVID-19. According to Stricklin, symptoms started with a runny nose, headache, congestion, and chills (describing that it felt like the “flu”). Those symptoms later turned into “labored breathing” comparing it to someone visiting “the Colorado mountains for the first time” and struggling to breath due to the high altitude (because of less oxygen available).

So what is Stricklin’s message to his fellow LEAD1 AD counterparts? “Take this seriously.” And “run out every ground ball.” In other words, simple requirements such as wearing a mask, washing hands, and social distancing can make a world of a difference.

Stricklin also indicated that 33 Florida student-athletes have tested positive since April, noting, however, that there are currently zero student-athletes that have recently tested positive. Stricklin, while admitting that having had the disease accords him more credibility when speaking about the severity of the pandemic, attributes the drop in positive cases to the various protocols that his university has implemented. In addition to the basic aforementioned mitigation strategies (i.e., handwashing regularly), Stricklin explained that his university has executed a strong contact tracing program, changed meeting rooms structures to outdoors, and moved weight room equipment into a facility with better air ventilation.

Generally, Stricklin supports the return of college sports to provide a “competitive opportunity” for student-athletes, but on the condition that it is safe to do so. As the college sports industry has seen this week with the Miami Marlins (Major League Baseball (MLB)), however, playing sports and keeping safe is a significant challenge. As for now, Stricklin’s overall message for college sports is to “stay positive” as games with fans in the stands will return “at some point in the future.” And with baseball back (for now), “running out every ground ball” will help college sports return to that point.University of Florida Athletic Director, Scott Stricklin, joined LEAD1 Association (“LEAD1”) CEO & President Tom McMillen as a guest for LEAD1’s second episode of the “LEAD1 Angle,” released as a podcast and video interview series earlier this week. There is perhaps no better person for LEAD1 members to hear from at this time given that Stricklin recently announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 last month.

Stricklin, who indicated that he now feels “back to normal,” obviously lives in Florida, a recent hotspot for COVID-19. According to Stricklin, symptoms started with a runny nose, headache, congestion, and chills (describing that it felt like the “flu”). Those symptoms later turned into “labored breathing” comparing it to someone visiting “the Colorado mountains for the first time” and struggling to breath due to the high altitude (because of less oxygen available).

So what is Stricklin’s message to his fellow LEAD1 AD counterparts? “Take this seriously.” And “run out every ground ball.” In other words, simple requirements such as wearing a mask, washing hands, and social distancing can make a world of a difference.

Stricklin also indicated that 33 Florida student-athletes have tested positive since April, noting, however, that there are currently zero student-athletes that have recently tested positive. Stricklin, while admitting that having had the disease accords him more credibility when speaking about the severity of the pandemic, attributes the drop in positive cases to the various protocols that his university has implemented. In addition to the basic aforementioned mitigation strategies (i.e., handwashing regularly), Stricklin explained that his university has executed a strong contact tracing program, changed meeting rooms structures to outdoors, and moved weight room equipment into a facility with better air ventilation.

Generally, Stricklin supports the return of college sports to provide a “competitive opportunity” for student-athletes, but on the condition that it is safe to do so. As the college sports industry has seen this week with the Miami Marlins (Major League Baseball (MLB)), however, playing sports and keeping safe is a significant challenge. As for now, Stricklin’s overall message for college sports is to “stay positive” as games with fans in the stands will return “at some point in the future.” And with baseball back (for now), “running out every ground ball” will help college sports return to that point.