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Warde Manuel discusses return to play plans for Michigan athletics

Warde Manuel
Posted at 5:32 PM, Jan 30, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-30 18:40:05-05

(WXYZ) -- University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel shared some insight Saturday into plans for returning programs to play following a two-week pause.

Manuel said on Michigan Athletics' "In the Trenches" podcast that the department has worked with medical staff to develop a plan for each individual sport regarding a gradual return to competition once the pause ends.

"I mean, you don't want to stop somebody from participating, restart practice on Monday and then have a competition on Tuesday, because it was scheduled that way before," said Manuel. "This is going to take a little time to get them back to what we call 'resocialized' into their particular sports. Some sports will be able to come back quicker than others, based on the sport itself and where the medical staff feels those student-athletes are per sport."

Manuel added the department is maintaining its procedures for cleaning and sanitizing venues, and will continue to follow Big Ten and NCAA guidelines for weekly COVID-19 testing.