MVC Commissioner calls new rapid COVID-19 tests “saving grace”

Posted on September 25, 2020
Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner Doug Elgin. (Facebook/Missouri Valley Conference)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – The Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner says new rapid COVID-19 tests could be the “saving grace” of winter sports seasons.

Doug Elgin, who announced his upcoming retirement earlier this week after the 2020-21 school year, said players would be tested three times a day with a game day test.

“The NCAA suggested (and) recommended standards for testing,” Elgin told WJBC’s, Marc Strauss. “What may be the saving grace for certainly basketball and other winter sports are the new tests that are coming out. Much more efficient, much quicker and much less expensive. That’s really going to be a key when you look at the number, the incredible number of tests that we’re going to have to have to have all of our teams in Division I and certainly in the Missouri Valley. And to do it three times a week and to do it on the day of a game where you can get the results back immediately.”

Elgin said Men’s and Women’s basketball would play an 18-game season in the winter, but added there is still a possibility that the season could get interrupted due to COVID-19.

“I’m no medical expert, but I do know that the medical industry is proceeding it with the improvement of these tests, and we’re going to see hopefully some real advances in the weeks and months.”

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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