Believe it or not, the Hatters’ fall camp for football began on Oct. 20 — about the time the team’s season normally would be nearing its end. The 2020 season, of course, isn’t normal, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing the cancellation of the Pioneer Football League’s fall schedule of games.

The camp will continue for four weeks, with practices held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:30 a.m., Fridays at 2:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m. (The practice on Nov. 3 has been moved to Nov. 2. All NCAA student-athletes nationwide received Election Day off this year.) Camp will conclude on Saturday, Nov. 14, with a Turkey Bowl game at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium (assuming everything occurs as planned).

After working through the phases of the COVID-19 Resocialization of Sports Plan, the football team joined the rest of Stetson’s other teams in Phase 3, which meant the football players were free to begin a fall practice period that will mirror a typical spring session. In the days leading up to camp, players, coaches and staff who work with the football program completed a round of testing with zero positive results from 170 people tested. Those results allowed the program to increase its level of activity from shorts and T-shirts in groups of 50 or fewer to full team practices.

To continue to ensure the safety of the individuals inside the football program, as well as the entire Stetson community, no fans, parents, boosters or others are being allowed at any of the football practices (at this time). 

In August, the Pioneer Football League’s Presidents Council announced the league’s schools would not conduct conference competition in fall 2020. With no regular fall season, Stetson Coach Roger Hughes put a tentative plan in place to treat the fall much like a normal spring. 

Recognizing competition is an integral part of the student-athlete’s educational experience, the Pioneer Football League has been committed to “exploring meaningful opportunities and experiences for football student-athletes this academic year,” if it could be done reasonably and safely. 

At least for now, the Turkey Bowl is one such scheduled opportunity. 

Note: This article and more news about Stetson Athletics can be found at GoHatters.com.