The Pac-12, led by Commissioner Larry Scott, has signed a deal with Quidel, a medical lab manufacturer from California. Quidel will provide the league's schools with affordable testing machines designed for quick coronavirus screening of student-athletes.
With results available in as little as 15 minutes, universities can identify positive cases immediately and quarantine players before the virus spreads. Implementing a daily testing regimen increases overall reliability, ensuring that practices and games can proceed safely and making the season much more likely to happen.
According to Scott, having access to these immediate results is a pivotal shift that paves the way for a safe return to competition within the Pac-12.
This breakthrough isn't just about sports; it has broader global implications. The biggest hurdle in managing the pandemic nationwide has been the struggle to get fast, reliable test results.
Delivery of the machines is expected from late September through early December. While the hardware is coming, the official guidelines and health protocols for the new testing process are still being written. In the meantime, local health authorities continue to block teams like USC, UCLA, Stanford, Cal, Oregon, and Oregon State from holding practices.
Ever since the pandemic triggered widespread lockdowns, Larry Scott has been proactive in searching for a concrete solution rather than simply waiting for the crisis to fade. He recognized early on that returning to full capacity would take several months of effort, but viewed that as a necessary investment given what was at risk.
Scott emphasized that the return to the field is being handled with careful deliberation. The league is avoiding any rushed decisions that could jeopardize the health of their athletes, insisting that their roadmap back to football be driven by scientific data and evidence.
Scott also mentioned his ongoing coordination with Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren. He believes it is crucial for the Pac-12 and the Big Ten to synchronize their schedules, which would better facilitate a traditional postseason for both conferences.