5 MSJC Football Players Catch COVID-19, Season Start Halted

SAN JACINTO, CA — Five players on the Mt. San Jacinto College football squad have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting a team quarantine that has derailed the start of the 2021 season and Saturday's first game at home, college officials announced.

"We are heartbroken for our student-athletes who have worked so hard and trained so long to prepare for these games," said Casey Mazzotta, Eagles football coach. "However, we know the health and safety of our students, staff and college community are a priority. This is the best course of action for everyone."

The decision to quarantine and postpone two upcoming games was made after receiving direction from the Riverside County Department of Public Health, according to a news release Thursday night from the college.

In addition to Saturday's home opener against Riverside City College at the MSJC San Jacinto campus, the Sept. 11 contest at Moorpark College has also been postponed.

MSJC players and coaches who are vaccinated and not showing symptoms are not required to quarantine, according to college officials.

MSJC said it has followed COVID-19 prevention protocols in alignment with the California Community College Athletic Association requirements, Riverside County Department of Public Health, and the California Department of Public Health.

All MSJC student-athletes are required to complete mandatory daily COVID-19 questionnaires before arriving onto campus, and they must be tested weekly for the virus, within 72-hours of a competition. All officials, game management, and coaching staff are also required to be tested prior to a competition, according to the college.

"As a result of this comprehensive testing protocol, MSJC quickly identified both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 positive student-athletes and began immediate contract tracing and quarantining procedures," college officials said.

"Patrick Springer, dean of kinesiology and athletics, is confident that the MSJC student-athletes followed all masking procedures and can confirm that the coaches have adhered to all testing measures and protocols to protect and ensure the safety of our students and staff," the officials said.

The student-athletes also followed required testing protocols, MSJC spokesperson Karin Marriott said.

The college has implemented a mandatory mask policy that requires students to wear a face-covering while indoors. Student-athletes must also wear face coverings while not actively engaged in practice on the field/court, according to the college.