Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football activities will resume on July 1

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: A general view of Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium before the football game between the South Dakota Coyotes and Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: A general view of Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium before the football game between the South Dakota Coyotes and Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma football coach Lincoln Riley has said that July 1 would be early enough for the Sooners to return to training and conditioning workouts, and he’s sticking to that story.

Related Story. OU players can return June 15 for voluntary workouts. light

The Big 12 announced last week that football players of its member institutions could begin returning to campus for voluntary workouts and weight-room use, without coaches present, beginning June 1.

It had previously been believed that Oklahoma was going to allow its players to return on June 15, but Joey Helmer, OU Insider for 247Sports, reported that school officials announced on Tuesday the date has been pushed back to July 1.

“As I have stated before, we are going to approach this return with extreme care,” Riley said. “Our medical personnel have told us that the safest thing we can do is keep our players off campus for as long as possible.

“We chose the latest point that we could bring them (the players) back and still have enough time to prepare,” —OU head coach Lincoln Riley

“We chose the latest point we could bring them back and still have enough time to prepare (for the 2020 season,” the OU head coach said.

According to Helmer, upon return to Norman the Sooner student-athletes will be evaluated by the OU medical staff. The student-athletes will be closely monitored and expected to follow a number of safety protocols and guidelines.

Both staff and student-athletes will receive extensive, advanced and ongoing education regarding the usage of the facilities and best practices for personal interaction, Helmer reported.

Additionally, the athletic department is implementing heightened cleaning and safety policies.

OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said the decision to resume football activities on July 1 positions the Oklahoma football program to meet its goals while being safe and fully prepared.

Next. Big 12's Bob Bowlsby believes there will be fans in the stands, just far fewer. dark

Oklahoma is scheduled to open the 2020 football season at home on Sept. 5 against Missouri State.

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