ELLENSBURG, Wash.—Central Washington Athletics announced today its COVID vaccine policy for the upcoming 2021-22 academic/athletic year. This policy pertains solely to eligible student-athletes.
In order to participate in intercollegiate athletics at CWU during the 2021-22 academic/athletic year, CWU Athletics is requiring all student-athletes to be vaccinated, or to at least have begun the process of getting vaccinated by receiving the first of two Pfizer or Moderna shots, or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The Department of Athletics will not allow for any exemptions – medical, religious/philosophical, or otherwise – for student-athletes who wish to train, practice, and/or compete for CWU Athletics in 2021-22.
"This was a very difficult decision to arrive at, however, over the past three weeks the national data clearly indicate that the unvaccinated population is where the COVID-19 virus continues to thrive, accounting for 98 percent of all hospitalizations and deaths in the United States," Director of Athletics Dennis Francois said. "In consultation with our University administration, and with support from Kittitas County Public Health, we have come to the conclusion that this policy will provide an environment that is most conducive to ensuring the health and safety of our student-athletes."
Student-athletes who are not yet fully vaccinated but have begun the process, will be required to wear a mask both indoors and outdoors and will not be allowed to participate in full-contact activities. Those who are not fully vaccinated will have to complete the two-shot vaccination process if they are receiving the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
Individuals who are fully vaccinated will not be required to wear a mask either indoors or outdoors and will be able to participate in all full-contact activities immediately.
Student-athletes who are receiving athletic-related aid and choose to opt out of participating in athletics during the 2021-22 academic/athletic year due to the vaccine mandate will not have their athletic aid cancelled. However, those student-athletes will still be bound to the conditions of their athletic aid agreement.
Central Washington University previously announced that vaccinations will be required of all CWU students and staff in the fall. This decision is dependent on the vaccine receiving approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and, at this point in time, the University will be allowing exemptions for medical and religious/philosophical reasons, which will require documentation.
Football fall camp begins on August 8, with volleyball and soccer student-athletes scheduled to report on August 15.
