Athletics and Recreation

The charge of the Athletics and Recreation Planning Group is to study, discuss and ultimately present recommendations on best practices for providing varsity athletics and recreation activities at the University while promoting student and community safety. Given the dynamic course of the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving local and national conditions, the working group will consider various risks, contingencies and alternative scenarios in its planning and recommendations.

Autumn Quarter Updates

Athletic Facilities

Due to the necessary de-densification of fitness and recreation spaces and equipment in accordance with guidance from the Chicago Department of Health, UChicago athletic facilities will only be open to enrolled UChicago students for the Autumn Quarter.

Starting Sept. 23, the Gerald Ratner Athletics Center will be open by reservation only for limited hours for students who have completed their stay at home or quarantine period. Full information, including hours, rules, how to reserve a time slot, and other information can be found on the transitional re-opening website.

Reservations must be made between 24 to 72 hours in advance.
Regular Autumn Quarter hours will begin on Oct. 5 and will be announced on the athletics.uchicago.edu website

Athletics Fall Competition

UChicago’s varsity teams will not participate in fall and winter sports competition during the upcoming Autumn Quarter. For more information, see these frequently asked questions.
Despite this development, the Working Group is planning to provide meaningful opportunities this fall for student-athletes to work with coaches and teammates through in-person practice and strength and conditioning programs.
The Working Group will continue to evaluate plans for scheduled practice for winter and spring sport teams and possible competition in 2021, to develop recommendations for the opening of athletic facilities, and to assess the feasibility of offering intramural and recreational sports during the upcoming academic year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is in the Athletics and Recreation planning group?

Name	Unit
Michele Rasmussen (co-lead)	Campus & Student Life
Rosalie Resch (co-lead)	Athletics & Recreation
Amy Reifert	Athletics & Recreation / Women’s Soccer
Anthony Martinez	Athletics & Recreation
Brian Brock	Athletics & Recreation
Bruce Reider	UChicago Medicine
Chris Wilkerson	Athletics & Recreation / Football
Holly Benjamin	UChicago Medicine
Liz Shanin	Office of Legal Counsel
Mary Wisniewski	Athletics & Recreation / Sports Medicine
Maya Gharpure	Facilities Services
Nicole Watkins	University Communications
Richard Mason	Campus & Student Life
Robert Petrowski	Athletics & Recreation

What is the focus of the Athletics and Recreation planning group?

Athletics and Recreation: Achieving competitive excellence; a commitment to teaching; integrity; providing fitness and recreational opportunities to the campus community; and promoting and supporting healthy living.

The main objectives of the planning group’s recommendations are as follows:

Recommend and implement an adapted varsity athletics program for our student-athletes in 2020-21, with the full understanding that traditional competition may not be possible.
Recommend and implement indoor and outdoor fitness and recreation opportunities for students starting in Autumn Quarter 2020.
Prioritize the health and safety of all students, coaches, trainers and staff in the Department of Athletics and Recreation.