The Louisville women’s basketball team will be allowed to walk outside again — after a misunderstanding and updated NCAA guidelines.
During a press conference Friday, Louisville women’s coach Jeff Walz shared with the media that when the Sweet 16 teams After changing hotels in the San Antonio area on Thursday, they were told they were no longer allowed to go for outdoor walks. That meant the only time teams could exercise outside was when they were walking to their daily COVID-19 testing.
“The only time we can see the sun is when we walk through the convention center for a COVID test or when we get on the bus to come here to practice,” Walz said. Louisville hasn’t been allowed to walk since Wednesday.
“They did a great job keeping us physically safe,” Walz said. “But I’m really concerned about the mental health aspect.
“Before, we could go outside for a walk. Now that’s been taken away. We can’t do that… having the opportunity to go out tonight, I think it’s going to be really good for our players… Just to take the air, as stupid as it sounds, it’s nice.
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The NCAA told teams Friday that they would have to coordinate any additional walks (outside of scheduled testing times) with hotel volunteers to avoid crowds and having too many teams in one place at once. The NCAA sent an updated communication to teams after becoming aware of the misunderstanding.
The misunderstanding arose because the teams were informed Thursday that the walking lane had been shortened now that all teams are in the same hotel.
Earlier this week, Walz released a statement on social media in response to public outcry at the start of the tournament regarding inequities between tournament sites.
“It has been my privilege to serve as a head coach in the women’s basketball community for over 25 years,” Walz wrote in a five-paragraph letter Sunday. “Throughout my career in women’s basketball, I have witnessed many disparities that still exist today.”
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“In a season that has focused on equality and unity, and a month dedicated to celebrating women, it is difficult to understand how our decision-makers within women’s basketball could have missed the opportunity to make a statement about the importance of our sport and their support of female athletes.
NCAA President Mark Emmert and Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt responded and acknowledged some of the stark differences between tournaments and committed to examining each in depth to ensure disparities this will not happen again.
“The incongruities between the women’s and men’s basketball tournaments documented on social media are an illustration of the lack of consideration and communication from our decision-makers,” Walz wrote.
The No. 2 seed Cardinals will face the No. 6 seed Oregon Ducks on Sunday.
Contact Analis Bailey at [email protected] or on Twitter @analisbailey.
