University of Hawaii requiring student-athletes to receive COVID-19 vaccination to compete in sports
Aug. 5—The University of Hawaii is requiring its student-athletes to receive the COVID-19 vaccination to compete in sports this coming academic year, school officials confirmed.
The directive was sent in an email to the student-athletes of UH's 19 sports programs. The athletic department's decision was made in line with university policy and after consultation with a UH-assembled medical committee. Unvaccinated student-athletes may apply for an exemption based on religious or medical reasons.
The intent is a return to normalcy for UH's athletic teams, which adhered to strict protocols before the widespread distribution of the vaccine, and create a unified approach to preparing for competition.
During last month's Mountain West Conference meetings in Las Vegas, league commissioner Craig Thompson met with the 12 head football coaches to discuss new guidelines. UH is a football-only member of the Mountain West. Most of the other UH teams are Big West Conference members.
Thompson said there essentially will be two categories—players who received the vaccine and those who did not. It was suggested that vaccinated players will be free to use the locker room and weight room, not wear masks at their schools' facilities (unless required by state or county rules ) nor undergo weekly testing. Unvaccinated players would be screened daily, required to wear masks except during practices, have limited or no access to locker rooms or small meeting rooms, and and be tested regularly for the coronavirus. Unvaccinated players would remain on scholarship and be allowed to practice. They will be provided grab-and-go meals.
Thompson said the Mountain West used $4 million from a reserve fund to pay for testing for member teams during the 2020-21 academic year. The unvaccinated student-athletes or the school would have to foot the bill for the weekly tests—three rapid antigen or one PCR.
UH has not reported the vaccination rate for its sports teams.
