U will have a decision on season tickets in a few days.

[Spaulding!No!]

The u responded to my email and said there are discussions about extending the date. Said they would let us know. No official word yet.

 

[WriterGoph]

If the NFL plays, college will figure out a way to play. These other leagues are just waiting for someone to be the first one to get back into it and they will all figure out how they will make it work in their own way.

There will either be zero sports (highly unlikely to last all 2020) or there will eventually be all. The annual TV money for the Big Ten outweighs ticket sales anyway.

 

[BilldGopher]

Don't forget the badger bug.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Think there were two very different topics brought up in the OP. On the subject of season ticket deadlines it makes perfect sense to push them back and extend them as much as possible right now.

But those speculating on not playing the season at this point are really jumping the gun. The schools need to discuss it and start working on worst case scenario contingency plans. But there is zero reason for anyone to be considering any sort of final decision in regards to football seasons right now because there is still a lot of time between now and August and things will almost certainly look extremely different by that point.

 

[hello-world]

3 years for Spanish Flu. However Spanish flu also had a much lower person-to-person transmission rate (ie each infected person only infected about 1 other and it is Coronavirus may be 2-3 persons per each infected person). Some places enforced isolation for brief periods or mask wearing, however our understanding of disease transmission at that time was substantially less than it is now. Due to the lower transmission rates, it took longer for the full attack rate which the population would see (hence the several years). Eventually enough people get the infection or become immune to it via a vaccine, thus reducing rates of transmission (people still get it, just fewer to go around and the hospitals can handle the capacity). Thus it all depends on how quickly we hit the saturation point (depends on roll out of wide spread testing, the rate of reinfection, us truly figuring out how many asymptomatic carriers there are, etc) and then actual decisions can be made. I wouldn't be surprised, as you state, if we see the season not played due to risk of large groups being problematic, however I don't see us remaining in lockdown that long (some of which is driven by who our President is and our inability to get many states to even lock down in the first place). We'll know a ton more in 2 weeks time given that will demonstrate just how good a job our initial isolation wave did at flattening this thing out.

Okay, fair, I did a poor job of making my point there. My point was that the players need a lot of time to get their bodies ready for the season and they have already lost half of that time. I can't imagine the NCAA being comfortable throwing a bunch of college football players on the field with basically 0 strength and conditioning time.

If this thing extends into June and players cannot access their S+C equipment then there will be a serious discussion about delaying or cancelling the season. There's not 'a ton of time until August'. Their strength programs last for 9 months.

 

[MplsGopher]

Ok, let's put it this way.

Knowing what you know now (today) - would you be comfortable buying season tickets for the 2020 football season? (comfortable in the sense of no health or financial worries)

Sound off.

If I was assured that any money given to the U for the purpose of 2020 season tickets, would be credited towards the cost of 2021 season tickets, should the 2020 season be cancelled, and I was looking to buy 2020 season tickets .... then yes, I'd feel comfortable making that "investment" now.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Okay, fair, I did a poor job of making my point there. My point was that the players need a lot of time to get their bodies ready for the season and they have already lost half of that time. I can't imagine the NCAA being comfortable throwing a bunch of college football players on the field with basically 0 strength and conditioning time.

Well sure, if we are still on lockdowns in August they are not going to just get to the start of September and toss the players on the field with no practice time to get ready.

And while they might not have formal strength and conditioning time right now there is no excuse for players to get out of shape. They can still work out at home. Won't be as intense or at the same level but there is still plenty of things they can do to make sure their body is ready to start up practices again when the time comes.

 

[WriterGoph]

Okay, fair, I did a poor job of making my point there. My point was that the players need a lot of time to get their bodies ready for the season and they have already lost half of that time. I can't imagine the NCAA being comfortable throwing a bunch of college football players on the field with basically 0 strength and conditioning time.

If this thing extends into June and players cannot access their S+C equipment then there will be a serious discussion about delaying or cancelling the season. There's not 'a ton of time until August'. Their strength programs last for 9 months.

They are all on workout programs sent and tracked by the coaches now. It's not like they're sitting eating potato chips. Fall practice is one month long anyway. If they can start practicing again in 4 months, everything will be on its normal schedule.

 

[MplsGopher]

They are all on workout programs sent and tracked by the coaches now. It's not like they're sitting eating potato chips. Fall practice is one month long anyway. If they can start practicing again in 4 months, everything will be on its normal schedule.

Maybe not potato chips. But I would guess that most players, now stuck at home, have very limited access to the same type of workout equipment that they had on campus.

You can still do quite a bit of stuff, even with just body weight and an open field. Don't get me wrong. Better than nothing.

 

[MirandaB]

If I was assured that any money given to the U for the purpose of 2020 season tickets, would be credited towards the cost of 2021 season tickets, should the 2020 season be cancelled, and I was looking to buy 2020 season tickets .... then yes, I'd feel comfortable making that "investment" now.

Me too.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Maybe not potato chips. But I would guess that most players, now stuck at home, have very limited access to the same type of workout equipment that they had on campus.

You can still do quite a bit of stuff, even with just body weight and an open field. Don't get me wrong. Better than nothing.

Wouldn't shock me to find out a lot of players families are investing in home gyms as well. Not the same as what they have access to at the U but really no excuse to get out of shape either.

Coaches will find out just how invested players are during something like this. No way to know for sure but I would guess that Fleck will be very innovative during this time and will find unique ways to keep his players engaged and working towards getting better while they wait for things to hopefully settle down and get back to normal at some point here in the future.

He strikes me as the type of coach that would roll really well with something like this and find creative ways to get things done.

 

[PitinoFan]

Wouldn't shock me to find out a lot of players families are investing in home gyms as well. Not the same as what they have access to at the U but really no excuse to get out of shape either.

Coaches will find out just how invested players are during something like this. No way to know for sure but I would guess that Fleck will be very innovative during this time and will find unique ways to keep his players engaged and working towards getting better while they wait for things to hopefully settle down and get back to normal at some point here in the future.

He strikes me as the type of coach that would roll really well with something like this and find creative ways to get things done.

Not all of the families have the financial resources to invest in home gyms, especially now. Burns was on KFAN last week talking about this. Tanner Morgan has an extensive home gym, some of the others, not so much. They’re trying to be creative, but pushups and sit-ups will only go so far.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Not all of the families have the financial resources to invest in home gyms, especially now. Burns was on KFAN last week talking about this. Tanner Morgan has an extensive home gym, some of the others, not so much. They’re trying to be creative, but pushups and sit-ups will only go so far.

Obviously everyone's home situation is different but these guys are all pretty high level athletes so it probably isn't massive stretch to think that a decent percentage of them have some sort of home gym setup dating back to their high school days. You can also get a hold of some basic weights and other equipment fairly cheaply. Again, not the same as what they would have access to a the U but also shouldn't be impossible for most players to find some way to make sure they can stay in shape.

 

[forever a gopher]

If there aren’t mass casualties (like the “boring” flu), people will start to get bored with being on lockdown soon enough, especially people in low risk catergories. They can kick the can down the road until probably July when teams are prepping for Fall camp. With so much money on the line, there is little incentive to make a declaration so far in advance.

Eventually, things are going to reopen, and we’ll all have to decide for ourselves if we’re afraid of the world and others around us or not.

 

[hello-world]

Obviously everyone's home situation is different but these guys are all pretty high level athletes so it probably isn't massive stretch to think that a decent percentage of them have some sort of home gym setup dating back to their high school days. You can also get a hold of some basic weights and other equipment fairly cheaply. Again, not the same as what they would have access to a the U but also shouldn't be impossible for most players to find some way to make sure they can stay in shape.

I'm not going to guess at the financial situations of the Gophers specifically, but a lot of college football players do not come from affluent families. It is very possible that high level athletes at many programs do not have access to weight rooms right now.

Just as important: It's possible that many of them don't have access to good nutrition right now with training table gone.

I'm actually not sure that training table went away though. Have you guys heard anything about Gophers facilities? Are they able to provide take out meals? Are they still able to get into the facility one at a time and sanitize between sessions or something?

 

[PitinoFan]

I'm not going to guess at the financial situations of the Gophers specifically, but a lot of college football players do not come from affluent families. It is very possible that high level athletes at many programs do not have access to weight rooms right now.

Which is exactly what Burns said last week on the radio. Many of these kids have no workout equipment at home. It sounded like he has inside info on the situation.

 

[WriterGoph]

Which is exactly what Burns said last week on the radio. Many of these kids have no workout equipment at home. It sounded like he has inside info on the situation.

Pretty sure the players whose home situations were not ideal had the option to stay on campus. It's not like their scholarships were removed. Not all players are home right now.

 

[hello-world]

Pretty sure the players whose home situations were not ideal had the option to stay on campus. It's not like their scholarships were removed. Not all players are home right now.

Okay, where are they working out on campus? Every gym I know is shutdown. I doubt they have access to a gym on campus, even the football facility.

I'm not sure how anyone could possibly believe this isn't a concern.

Push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and running are how my fiance and I are staying in shape right now. That's not going to be enough for modern college football players. They spend entire months building strength and pre-habbing muscles you and I don't even think about before the college football season. They won't be ready to go at their normal pace with four weeks of fall practice and S&C.

Also, I know my posts sometimes come off as 'sky-is-falling' type of posts. I don't mean for this to be that. All I'm saying is that it's a concern and it will likely be a concern for the NCAA when they're trying to decide whether to proceed with this season.

It was the same reason Canada decided to pull out of the Olympics before they were rescheduled, their athletes wouldn't have adequate resources to train.

 

[hungan1]

I would think the players that remain on campus have access to the training table in limited capacities. I don't know if the U permit the students to access the gyms.

There are kids that are better off staying on campus than going to areas that are more prone to exposure to the virus.

They must be essentially stating in place.

 

[WriterGoph]

Okay, where are they working out on campus? Every gym I know is shutdown. I doubt they have access to a gym on campus, even the football facility.

I'm not sure how anyone could possibly believe this isn't a concern.

Push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and running are how my fiance and I are staying in shape right now. That's not going to be enough for modern college football players. They spend entire months building strength and pre-habbing muscles you and I don't even think about before the college football season. They won't be ready to go at their normal pace with four weeks of fall practice and S&C.

That's not true. You can get absolutely ripped and maintain your muscle and conditioning doing bodyweight and core exercises in a 4x4 space. I usually work out in a gym 3-4 times a week and I'm working harder in my own home and seeing more definition running and doing 3-6 different body weight exercises every other day. They have a world class strength and conditioning staff. You don't think these people are smart enough to plan routines that will keep 18-22-year-olds in shape and strong for a few months? Half the challenge for us is that we don't have someone to give us enough ideas on exercises and keep us to a plan. It's a lot different if youre on a scholarship and competing for playing time. Pretty sure you're still allowed to sprint outside as fast as you want. People are acting like everyone is just getting fat and lazy, when in fact the determined and focused people have even less distractions now and can make exercise and nutrition an even bigger part of their lives.

 

[hello-world]

That's not true. You can get absolutely ripped and maintain your muscle and conditioning doing bodyweight and core exercises in a 4x4 space. I usually work out in a gym 3-4 times a week and I'm working harder in my own home and seeing more definition running and doing 3-6 different body weight exercises every other day. They have a world class strength and conditioning staff. You don't think these people are smart enough to plan routines that will keep 18-22-year-olds in shape and strong for a few months? Half the challenge for us is that we don't have someone to give us enough ideas on exercises and keep us to a plan. It's a lot different if youre on a scholarship and competing for playing time. Pretty sure you're still allowed to sprint outside as fast as you want. People are acting like everyone is just getting fat and lazy, when in fact the determined and focused people have even less distractions now and can make exercise and nutrition an even bigger part of their lives.

Yes, you and I can can absolutely stay in shape that way.

However, I have already lost 5 lbs because I'm not lifting and I would guess this is amplified for the players.

Most people don't have a power rack with 500 lbs of bumper plates which is the bare minimum requirement for these guys to maintain strength.

There's a half decent chance we see elevated injuries because of this, and there's a half decent chance that we see fewer injuries because of this. The only thing I know for sure is that it's a monumental change from what they are normally doing at this time of year.

That whole, "games are won and lost in the off-season" saying is playing out right now when a lot of the best players might not have access to adequate facilities and nutrition.

 

[Veritas]

Okay, fair, I did a poor job of making my point there. My point was that the players need a lot of time to get their bodies ready for the season and they have already lost half of that time. I can't imagine the NCAA being comfortable throwing a bunch of college football players on the field with basically 0 strength and conditioning time.

If this thing extends into June and players cannot access their S+C equipment then there will be a serious discussion about delaying or cancelling the season. There's not 'a ton of time until August'. Their strength programs last for 9 months.

Would it not be just the way the game was played in the 1950s given that all the players are in much the same boat? Our skinnier guys against their skinnier guys?

 

[STPGopher]

Well sure, if we are still on lockdowns in August they are not going to just get to the start of September and toss the players on the field with no practice time to get ready.

And while they might not have formal strength and conditioning time right now there is no excuse for players to get out of shape. They can still work out at home. Won't be as intense or at the same level but there is still plenty of things they can do to make sure their body is ready to start up practices again when the time comes.

Beyond the contradiction, there are many factors including an appropriate weight room like the one at the U that says that most all would struggle to be ready for the season without pre fall camp, or extended fall camp workouts.

 

[#2Gopher]

I'm not going to guess at the financial situations of the Gophers specifically, but a lot of college football players do not come from affluent families. It is very possible that high level athletes at many programs do not have access to weight rooms right now.

Just as important: It's possible that many of them don't have access to good nutrition right now with training table gone.

I'm actually not sure that training table went away though. Have you guys heard anything about Gophers facilities? Are they able to provide take out meals? Are they still able to get into the facility one at a time and sanitize between sessions or something?

The more I think about it, I believe getting good nutrition is going to be critical. If you're going to work out I would think that you need to be eating properly. More athletics (pros) say that once they started eating correctly they performed better. I'd be curious about this one.

 

[STPGopher]

That's not true. You can get absolutely ripped and maintain your muscle and conditioning doing bodyweight and core exercises in a 4x4 space. I usually work out in a gym 3-4 times a week and I'm working harder in my own home and seeing more definition running and doing 3-6 different body weight exercises every other day. They have a world class strength and conditioning staff. You don't think these people are smart enough to plan routines that will keep 18-22-year-olds in shape and strong for a few months? Half the challenge for us is that we don't have someone to give us enough ideas on exercises and keep us to a plan. It's a lot different if youre on a scholarship and competing for playing time. Pretty sure you're still allowed to sprint outside as fast as you want. People are acting like everyone is just getting fat and lazy, when in fact the determined and focused people have even less distractions now and can make exercise and nutrition an even bigger part of their lives.

They

That's not true. You can get absolutely ripped and maintain your muscle and conditioning doing bodyweight and core exercises in a 4x4 space. I usually work out in a gym 3-4 times a week and I'm working harder in my own home and seeing more definition running and doing 3-6 different body weight exercises every other day. They have a world class strength and conditioning staff. You don't think these people are smart enough to plan routines that will keep 18-22-year-olds in shape and strong for a few months? Half the challenge for us is that we don't have someone to give us enough ideas on exercises and keep us to a plan. It's a lot different if youre on a scholarship and competing for playing time. Pretty sure you're still allowed to sprint outside as fast as you want. People are acting like everyone is just getting fat and lazy, when in fact the determined and focused people have even less distractions now and can make exercise and nutrition an even bigger part of their lives.

Depending on the length of time, they may need to extend fall camp/ pre camp. There is more to it than just being in "shape". Isometric training isn't necessarily the same as the free weight and other trainings that the state of the art facilities and face to face trainings the staff can provide.

Another issue is injury prevention during such rigorous training. With the kind of weight some of those guys are lifting would be downright scary without spotters. My guess is injury or drop-offs would be likely outcomes.

I am not saying I am 100% correct about this. I am just saying that I suspect that depending on how long all if this goes on, more time will most likely be needed. This is assuming that the powers that be truly want what is best for the student athletes.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

There’s really no reason the guys can’t work out if they are meticulous with disinfecting bars, plates, weights, surfaces and spacing out occupants not only physically but time wise. This will take some common sense training and maybe some supervision for Darwin Award candidates - and perhaps a healthy release of liability form for private facility owners... Acknowledged most school related facilities are shut down.

But many, maybe most players can get backdoor access to private facilities or boxes in their home towns if they know the right people and I’d guess that can be arranged with some phone calls. Where there’s a will there’s a way.

Regarding the season agree way too soon to make any decisions. Any resistance internally to extending deadlines into the summer on purchases or renewals is idiotic.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Beyond the contradiction, there are many factors including an appropriate weight room like the one at the U that says that most all would struggle to be ready for the season without pre fall camp, or extended fall camp workouts.

Staying in shape and being game ready are very different things. As I stated in another post, it would be insane to think the players could just jump back on the field and play games without any sort of lead up.

But that does not mean they can't keep themselves in good shape and as others have stated I have zero doubt the S&C staff at the U has plans in place to help these guys stay as close to game ready as possible while they are away from campus.

Guys that are bought in to the program and committed to being the best they can be will find ways to stay in shape and I am sure the S&C staff is working overtime to make sure they have as many resources as possible to make that happen.

They will need time once they are back on campus to get back into playing condition but they shouldn't have to start from the beginning again either.

Honestly, as others have pointed out, the nutrition aspect is probably a way bigger factor in all this than the weight lifting part. For those players where money is a big issue they will probably end up eating a lot more bad or low quality foods. Might be a lot tougher for some of them to get fresh fruits and veggies while having to settle for a lot more frozen foods.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

That's not true. You can get absolutely ripped and maintain your muscle and conditioning doing bodyweight and core exercises in a 4x4 space. I usually work out in a gym 3-4 times a week and I'm working harder in my own home and seeing more definition running and doing 3-6 different body weight exercises every other day. They have a world class strength and conditioning staff. You don't think these people are smart enough to plan routines that will keep 18-22-year-olds in shape and strong for a few months? Half the challenge for us is that we don't have someone to give us enough ideas on exercises and keep us to a plan. It's a lot different if youre on a scholarship and competing for playing time. Pretty sure you're still allowed to sprint outside as fast as you want. People are acting like everyone is just getting fat and lazy, when in fact the determined and focused people have even less distractions now and can make exercise and nutrition an even bigger part of their lives.

4x4 square space?

 

[Great Plains Gopher]

And your source of information is who..? Please stop speculating as you DO NOT know. All you know about in Seattle or New York is what you hear on the frenzied media. As far as loosing a year of our lives....because a season is cancelled? Really?

I did know.

 

[STPGopher]

Staying in shape and being game ready are very different things. As I stated in another post, it would be insane to think the players could just jump back on the field and play games without any sort of lead up.

But that does not mean they can't keep themselves in good shape and as others have stated I have zero doubt the S&C staff at the U has plans in place to help these guys stay as close to game ready as possible while they are away from campus.

Guys that are bought in to the program and committed to being the best they can be will find ways to stay in shape and I am sure the S&C staff is working overtime to make sure they have as many resources as possible to make that happen.

They will need time once they are back on campus to get back into playing condition but they shouldn't have to start from the beginning again either.

Honestly, as others have pointed out, the nutrition aspect is probably a way bigger factor in all this than the weight lifting part. For those players where money is a big issue they will probably end up eating a lot more bad or low quality foods. Might be a lot tougher for some of them to get fresh fruits and veggies while having to settle for a lot more frozen foods.

I think overall, we agree. Nutrition is obviously a factor as well. I just think that weight training, especially since many/ most players normally stay on campus during the off season could end up being a big issue. Especially with the linemen.