Multiple American University men’s basketball players tested positive for COVID-19, causing the cancellation of the Eagles’ (4-8) game against Siena College (4-6).
The game was scheduled for Tuesday at 2 p.m. EST, and canceled due to health and safety protocols, according to a press release Sunday. Associate Director of Athletics Communications Tommy Bennett confirmed the positive COVID-19 cases to The Eagle.
The Eagles’ matchup against Lehigh to begin Patriot League play is still scheduled for Jan 1.
The Siena game is the second to be canceled or rescheduled during the 2021-22 season. The AU women’s basketball team was set to play Howard University Dec. 21, but the game was rescheduled due to an outbreak within the Howard program, according to an AU press release. Howard later suspended play for the men’s basketball team after a second COVID outbreak, according to the Washington City Paper.
Athletes are required to take COVID-19 tests once a week according to AU COVID protocols, and the NCAA mandates that all athletes who test positive must enter a ten-day isolation period and that “at least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms have improved.”
David Bierwirth, the associate director of athletics for external relations, was not immediately available for comment.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
