A day after Seton Hall announced it had paused preseason practices due to positive COVID-19 tests, Iona and Rick Pitino had to do the same, the school announced.
A source said the program has one positive test, but it is not a player. Wednesday was the first day of the 14-day pause, following NCAA guidelines. While Iona has yet to cancel any games, the opener against Fordham on Nov. 25 is almost certainly out, the source said, while the team’s three games scheduled in the Mohegan Sun bubble, scheduled for Nov. 29, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, is unlikely.
Iona is eligible to return to practice on Nov. 26. Until then, players, coaches and staff members have to quarantine and can only work out separately.
“Since coming together in August, we’ve carefully followed protocols and have been part of a strong testing program,” Pitino said in a statement. “With this being our first positive case, this serves as an important reminder for everyone to exercise the necessary precautions to help stop the spread of the virus. The health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and community are our utmost priority. We will continue to make decisions out of an abundance of caution, as we look forward to resuming activities as soon as return to play guidelines deem it safe.”
