Page 5 - Specialty Practices_September Newsletter

Extra, Extra, Read all About It!

"Life is great; football is better." Tom Quick has refereed a total of 20
years of college football
2020 has been a wild ride. During that intense ride, we've seen
the uncertainty of sports coverage. I'm happy to announce
football is returning.
Darren Hickey, Sports Specialty Expert, confirmed three out of
the five Power Five conferences are playing college football: SEC,
ACC, and the Pack 12. The games scheduled are only against the
teams within each of those conferences – limiting the travel.
Chris Garner, CSO HUB Southwest, and 6-year SEC official, and Tom
Quick, Construction Specialty expert, and 9-year SEC official, also gave
insight to college ball returning. The SEC has a rigorous protocol to follow.
The season has been reduced fewer games, in a shorter time frame, later in the year. Both Chris and
Tom explained the testing procedure they must follow leading up to games. They must perform a
nasal swab at home and over-night the results to the lab. Also, the league intends to limit travel – they
can no longer travel with anyone nor carpool. Chris explained, "Once, at the game site, we will have to
answer COVID questionnaires, get temperatures taken, and a second rapid COVID test. If any of that
comes back positive, we can't work."
Tom said there are no more whistles to blow. They got a new electronic whistle that they put on their
wrist and push a button for sound. Not to mention the on-field officials can run up to 10 miles per
game, and now they must do that with a mask covering their nose and mouth.
"My belief is that the SEC Conference has handled this exceptionally well … I have also spoken with
many parents of college football players who believe the safest place for their child to be is under the
hourly medial supervision of their college football program," Chris shared. "The SEC has met these
challenges head-on are solving the problems and overcoming the obstacles. They are finding ways to
make it work. That's what high achievers do. They adapt and overcome the challenge.“
Tom shared his positive outcome on the matter too. "I'm thrilled football is coming back – for the kids
to be able to play and for the country to have something to look forward to. This is the psychological
effect of a distraction. The focus this year is to be prepared, but to be
flexible, on & off the field."
Darren also confirmed that all NFL teams are playing, and it is the regular
schedule. Will there be fans? Well, that depends on the state. "The states that
are allowing will only fill 15 or 25 percent of their stadium," Darren said. "The
stadiums are doing a great job with their guidelines, including providing
distance between the fans and the players."
Darren is also all for the season to return since the proper protocols are in
place. "Fortunately, we haven't seen a professional/college athlete that had
to be hospitalized. Players that have tested positive are only symptomatic or
feel like they had a cold/ touch of the flu, and they quarantined. The concern
is if they have elderly parents, etc., but that's why they quarantine. I think we
will see at the end of the season that they did it successfully."
Chris Garner has refereed a total
of 25 years of college football

Summits coming soon, to a screen near you!

Due to national and international travel disruptions following the pandemic, we
regretfully had to cancel the in-person summits we had previously rescheduled.
The Healthcare and Real Estate Practice Leadership have decided to run a
virtual summit in the fall instead. Both virtual summits will take place this
October. We will have more information on each in the coming weeks.

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