BOULDER, Colo. — University of Colorado athletic director Rick George is feeling better about the possibility of fall sports happening, including football, than he has in awhile.
"I'm more optimistic today than I was 6-8 weeks ago," George said on a conference call Thursday afternoon with local reporters.
When asked why, George cited several reasons to be hopeful.
"We've had a couple, what I consider, big shifts. Number one, I think the Chancellor's announcement (about in-person learning in the fall at CU) was significant. Having students on our campus and having a learning experience is important. Our student athletes are part of that. To me that was a real positive as I look at the fall," George said.
Not only is CU bringing back students, but the NCAA relaxed its rules last week when it comes to what student-athletes can do this summer.
"Also the announcements that have been made around the country, the fact the NCAA allowed student-athletes to come back to campus for voluntary workouts beginning June 1 I think was an important step. Then for (the PAC-12 to allow) us to bring back student-athletes June 15 is great. At least we have a date that we can plan on and what that will look like," George said.
Even the return of sports around the country, albeit in a non-traditional way, has George optimistic about college athletics moving forward this fall.
"I think the fact that NASCAR started in a way, and even though there were no fans there, the evolution of what that will look like in the future I think that's a positive," George said.
He went on to cite the NFL, MLB and NBA all making "progress" as reasons for hope.
George said currently CU has 133 student-athletes on campus, including at least one representative from every sport. He expects that number to rise significantly in the coming days and weeks.
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