Cleveland State Athletics Implement Testing, Updated Fan Guidelines

  • Friday, January 22, 2021
The Lady Cougars wrap up a Friday mid-day practice in L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium. This home of men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball at Cleveland State Community College will be operating under new guidelines in Spring 2021. Among the policies in place for CSCC athletic facilities will be no fan attendance through February.
The Lady Cougars wrap up a Friday mid-day practice in L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium. This home of men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball at Cleveland State Community College will be operating under new guidelines in Spring 2021. Among the policies in place for CSCC athletic facilities will be no fan attendance through February.
photo by CSCC Athletics
A set testing schedule for COVID-19 and new attendance policies highlight the latest guidelines put in place for Cleveland State Community College Student Athletics.

Next weekend, Cleveland State Community College is scheduled to officially launch Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Men’s Baseball. But when visiting Columbia State Community College rolls into town for baseball and Roane State Community College tips things with the off Cougars on the hardwood of L.
Quentin Lane Gymnasium, those in attendance will hear little more than the crack of a bat and the dribbling of a basketball.


After the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) President’s Council met this week, new guidelines were agreed upon in regard to COVID-19 safety and intercollegiate athletic activity on campus. Number one on the list: The general public will not be allowed to be in attendance at any member institution’s student-athletic contest. This includes, of course, all Cleveland State contests.

“The players, coaches, officials, media, and game day staff are the only people allowed to attend through February,” said Mike Policastro, Cleveland State Community College Athletic Director. “No fans will be in the stands any earlier than March. Of course, if guidelines change between now and then, it could be longer than that.

Women’s Softball hosts their first home games on February 3 when Volunteer State makes the three-hour trip from Gallatin for a two-game set. Women’s Volleyball sees their first home action of the Spring 2021 season the next day on February 4 when Roane State visits the friendly confines of Lane Gymnasium on the Cleveland State Community College main campus.

The TCCAA President’s Council worked in conjunction with the association’s athletic directors in the decision on what safety measures to implement at this time. “Much of what we have done is based on the National Junior College Athletic Association’s guidelines already in place,” added Policastro.

As for COVID-19 testing, Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball are considered Tier I athletic programs in regards to safety measures. “All players will be tested twice a week and within 48 hours of a contest,” said Policastro. “Men’s Baseball and Women’s Softball are Tier II programs and only require testing once a week. Men’s Golf and Men’s and Women’s Cross Country are Tier III programs and only require testing once a season.” Cleveland State’s athletic training personnel will assist in all testing.

In addition, masks must be worn by all in attendance who are not actively competing in game play. Seating on the bench will require a six foot radius between seats. And, each team will have their own athletic coolers and disposable cups which will be sterilized and disposed of, respectively. In regards to Men’s Baseball and Women’s Softball, if the seating mandate is not possible in a dugout, then players and/or staff may have to sit outside of the dugout.

As of January 2021, there will be no out-of-state travel for any contest. Currently, 126 student-athletes will be competing in the college’s eight different athletic offerings at Cleveland State. The Cougar and Lady Cougar athletic programs compete in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA) and are members of the NJCAA.

For more information on Cleveland State Community College, call 423.472.7141 or visit the college at ClevelandStateCC.edu. 
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