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Keeping active on campus in the time of coronavirus

Activities include kayaking, billiards, Frisbee and more

Basketball Players

As University of Pittsburgh at Bradford students return to campus for the 2020-21 academic year, athletics staff members have developed ways for them to be active and practice healthy behaviors.

For the past several months, staff members have been creating activities for students while also enacting new policies and procedures in the athletic facilities.

“We want our students to remain academically focused,” said Bret Butler, director of athletics and recreational sports, “and we know a part of that is helping them stay physically active in a healthy environment.”

Randy Ruffner, director of recreation and intramural sports, has developed ways to provide Pitt-Bradford students with physically distant activities, including canoeing and kayaking, billiards, ping pong, badminton, volleyball, Home Run Derby and Frisbee golf. There will also be completely virtual options, including a 5k and E-Sports.

Intramural competition began Aug. 26 on the tennis courts at the Kessel Athletic Complex. The first activities will be Kan Jam and Corn Hole Leagues. Tennis, pickleball, kickball and softball competitions are being planned for later in the semester.

Besides developing activities, university officials have adopted new policies and procedures in its facilities, including limiting building access only to Pitt-Bradford students, faculty and staff at this time.

Starting Monday, Aug. 24, the Richard E. and Ruth McDowell Sport and Fitness Center will be open seven days a week and accessible only to faculty, staff and students with a Pitt-Bradford ID at the main entrance. The facility will be open 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

When entering the building, students, faculty and staff must sign in at the front desk where they will undergo a thermal scan and answer screening questions. All Pitt-Bradford community members entering the Sport and Fitness center must wear a mask.

Along with new regulations, multiple changes have been made to the facilities. All equipment in the Ken Jadlowiec Fitness Center has been moved into the McDowell Fieldhouse to allow for appropriate physical distancing. Additionally, all locker rooms will be closed. Fitness Center users will have access to the public restrooms in the main hall.

The KOA Arena will be open for use during its normal facility hours, but only two people will be able to use a basket at one time. The Paul C. Duke Aquatic Center will also be available for limited use. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.