MILWAUKEE — Marquette University men's and women's basketball teams have paused all team activities after a person in each program tested positive for COVID-19.
The pause in training and games will last at least two weeks, and is effective immediately, the university announcedWednesday afternoon.
"Our student-athletes and staff members have been doing a tremendous job in relation to following university and NCAA COVID-19 protocols and that effort has been reflected in our department's low positivity rate," Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Scholl explained in a statement.
"The actions we are taking surrounding the basketball programs are a proactive measure aimed at stopping the potential for increased infection, with the health and safety of everyone involved our highest priority," said Scholl.
Since the beginning of the school year, on Aug. 28, Marquette Athletics has tested 809 students and staff. Of those, eight came back positive, according to the department.
Contract tracing that was launched because of those positive tests led to the two positive tests announced Wednesday, which in turn led to the cause in activity.
Head men's basketball coach Steve Wojciechowski said in the statement:
"We have talked as a team on multiple occasions about keeping our focus on what we are able to control when it comes to the impact COVID-19 has had on our lives. While there are so many uncertainties with the virus, one action we are able to control is our response to the test results and our efforts as a program to keep everyone associated as healthy and safe as possible."
Head women's basketball coach Megan Duffy said the following:
"We appreciate our entire community's efforts to help keep Marquette Athletics and our student-athletes healthy. Despite the setback, we are extremely excited to start the season and look forward to being back on the court soon."