Rutgers to hold football pro day despite coronavirus threat, but with 1 big change

Rutgers football will still hold its previously-scheduled pro day for its NFL hopefuls on Friday, but the event has been closed to reporters due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Only participants and professional scouts will be allowed inside Rutgers’ practice bubble, according to an email from a team spokesman. The decision comes after Rutgers announced earlier Wednesday a series of measures the athletics department will take until at least April 3 in response to the coronavirus threat. The university has already canceled classes for Thursday and Friday of this week and has moved all instruction online when students return from spring break March 23

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The university’s statement on athletics in full:

As everyone across the world continues to deal with the impact of COVID-19, the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff is our primary concern. We continue to seek advice so we can observe best practices and directives as set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New Jersey Department of Health. Rutgers Athletics is taking the following steps beginning on Thursday, March 12, and proceeding through at least Friday, April 3:

  • All Rutgers University Athletics home competitions will take place as scheduled without spectators. Credentialed media will be accommodated.
  • All third-party competitions or events scheduled to take place at Rutgers University Athletics facilities have been cancelled. The sponsoring entities have the discretion to place these events at alternative venues.
  • All international travel is prohibited. Essential domestic travel for teams, coaches and staff is permissible
  • Team practices will take place as scheduled without the presence of spectators or non-essential personnel.
  • All single game ticket purchases, as well as third party ticketed events, will be refunded by the Rutgers Athletics Ticket Office. The Ticket Office will be contacting all accounts that purchased tickets once refunds are processed.

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Rutgers is still expected to hold its spring football practices as scheduled starting on March 24, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The men’s basketball team is still set to play Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament’s second round on Thursday in Indianapolis and both it and the women’s basketball team are expected to receive bids to the NCAA Tournament, which begins at sites nationwide next week.

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James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.

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