Toledo basketball pauses activities due to COVID-19 outbreak

Toledo coach Tod Kowalczyk, who explained on Monday that he tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend, also announced the Rockets men's basketball program will be pausing activities for at least two weeks. Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Toledo basketball program pauses activities due to COVID-19 outbreak

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/21/20

The Toledo Rockets men's basketball program confirmed on Wednesday that it is pausing in-person activities for at least two weeks due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

As Jeff Borzello reported for ESPN, six Toledo players tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. Coach Tod Kowalczyk explained on Monday that he tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend and added that he preferred to start the upcoming season in either January or February due to concerns related to the pandemic:

Toledo Men's Basketball Coach Tod Kowalczyk has tested positive for COVID-19. I talked with him earlier today. He's quarantined at his lake house in Michigan for the next 10 days. He had mild symptoms on Saturday, but is feeling much better today.

Here is our conversation: pic.twitter.com/oV1bhdTEPY
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) October 19, 2020

Kowalczyk told the Toledo Blade:

“It came back on Sunday that I was positive. It can happen to anybody. I think I've been very cautious. Have I been perfect? No, but it's hard to be perfect. I have worn a mask at all times. I kept social distancing. Anytime anybody was in my office we'd have masks on. It's a virus. It's going to find some cracks.”

Kowalczyk updated his condition and the state of the team on Wednesday:

Our program is beginning a two-week pause due to COVID-19 positive tests and resulting contract tracing.

On a personal note, I'm feeling good and seeing continued improvement from my mild symptoms.

Can’t wait to return to our Savage Arena court! ’#GoRockets pic.twitter.com/zY3f9q0IBt
— COACH TK (@Coach_Kowalczyk) October 21, 2020

In a statement shared by Borzello, Toledo athletic director Mike O'Brien said:

"Student-athlete health and safety is always our top priority and we are going to continue to follow the prevention protocols and ongoing testing procedures already in place. The COVID-19 pandemic remains a serious challenge, and our primary focus will always be on ensuring our student-athletes' health. We look forward to our men's basketball program resuming its team activities."

Back on Sept. 19, Brian Hamilton and Hugh Kellenberger of The Athletic reported that Toledo will open the season with a three-day, three-game round-robin competition that involves Xavier, Bradley, and Oakland from Nov. 25-27.

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