The Hear It From Harlan Podcast presented by Pepsi makes its return for the fall of 2020. During this episode, Utah athletics director
Mark Harlan gives an update on how COVID-19 and the corresponding decision by the Pac-12 Conference to discontinue athletics competition this fall has impacted the Utah Athletics Department. Harlan discusses the Pac-12's new agreement with Quidel Corporation to implement a COVID-19 daily rapid-testing program and the evolving plans to return to competition. He also shares his thoughts on the recent proposals for name, image and likeness legislation and some initiatives being driven by Ute student-athletes in recent months.
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The podcast can be heard onÂ
iTunes andÂ
YouTube. All Utah Athletics podcasts will be archivedÂ
here.
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To open the podcast, Harlan talks at length about the decisions made by him and the athletics senior cabinet the past few months on how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually make a safe return to athletic related activities. The Pac-12 Conference has currently suspended all competition until January 1.
With a COVID-19 rapid-testing program now available to all Pac-12 institutions, the door has been opened to eventually start contact practices and competition. Harlan explained there has been a lot of discussion at the conference level about a spring football schedule; however, there has also been an emphasis on protecting the 2021 fall season.
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A number of Ute student-athletes have organized a group over the spring and summer known as U.T.A.H., which stands for united together against hate, in an effort to make a positive impact on issues such as racial equality and social justice, and to encourage voter registration. Harlan has worked with the group is supportive of their desire to have a voice.
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