Last updated August 21 at 12:05 p.m. CT to include information on Friday’s press conference postponement.
Multiple Vanderbilt football players tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, Vanderbilt athletics confirmed to The Hustler. The number of positive COVID-19 tests among football players is still unknown.
Chris Lee of VandySports.com first reported that there were positive tests and that Friday morning’s practice had been canceled. Vanderbilt has not yet confirmed the cancelation.
A Vanderbilt spokesperson provided the following statement to The Hustler:
“As part of our ongoing testing procedures, we have been made aware of positive COVID-19 test results in our football program. We are following the university’s protocols and we are working closely with our Public Health Command Center and other health officials who are assessing potential close contacts and advising on additional steps. Because of applicable federal student privacy law, we are unable to publicly disclose personally identifiable information about any student who has tested positive for COVID-19.”
Coach Derek Mason and first-year defensive coordinator Ted Roof were previously scheduled to address the media at 12:30 p.m. CT. Vanderbilt athletics sent an email to credentialed media at 11:41 a.m. CT stating that the press conference had been postponed.
The Hustler will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.