UCA Regional Competitions

At UCA, the health and safety of our athletes, coaches, employees, families and friends remains our top priority. As we prepare to potentially host live events this season, we want to share the possible scenarios and the current plan for each UCA school event through the end of 2020. 

Option A Events: In-Person with Social Distanced Spectators

• Spectators will be allowed with social distancing measures in place
• Live awards ceremony with limited athletes, spectators and / or coaches
• All teams will receive score sheets, rankings and awards

• Spectator viewing limited to team performance time only
• Live awards ceremony with limited athletes and/or coaches, OR virtual awards ceremony
• All teams will receive score sheets, rankings and awards
• We highly recommend you wait to book hotel/travel until three weeks prior to the event

• Spectators not allowed; only athletes and coaches permitted
• Virtual awards ceremony
• All teams will receive score sheets, rankings and awards

• Teams will be eligible for a virtual event if they are in the corresponding states listed next to the event name or attended the event in 2019
• Registration will still be through the myVarsity competition portal, just like our in-person events
• Routines will be uploaded to VTV and judged virtually by UCA trained judges
• Virtual awards ceremony
• All teams will receive score sheets, rankings and awards

We are committed to delivering competitions that will adhere to all guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local authorities, as well as our event host partners, at the time of each event. These include social distancing measures, rules about face coverings, cleaning practices and more. All Varsity Spirit event staff will be educated and trained based on the guidelines set forth for each event. Please note that each phase may include additional precautions not specifically mentioned below.

To find out what the plan is for your UCA event, please see the event name below. Please note this is a fluid situation and subject to change.

Before we embark on this unprecedented competition season, we’d like to share with you some of the things we have been working on to keep athletes, coaches, spectators and Varsity Spirit personnel safe at our events. (Information as of 9.23.20)

Safety remains our top priority, and we have a dedicated, experienced team focused on researching and developing a plan for this season. Below is what you can expect at all Varsity Spirit in-person competitions, at least through December 31, 2020.

Please note that the final details and schedule for any individual competition will be continuously monitored and may be adjusted, including making the competition virtual, if necessary. All guidelines are subject to change based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), federal, state, local and venue-specific guidance. We will communicate any changes to you as soon as they are confirmed. 

Varsity Spirit’s baseline safety standards for 2020: 

• Social distancing protocols will be in place and enforced
• Increased sanitization measures throughout venues, including enhanced cleaning protocols, hand sanitization stations and more frequent cleaning of performance surfaces
• Longer intervals between team practice and performance times and increased physical distancing throughout the practice and performance areas
• Face coverings required for everyone, except for athletes when on the practice and performance floors
• Spectators within the performance area will be limited (several options are being considered and may vary by competition)
• Awards ceremonies will be live with limited capacity (teams or coaches only) or completely virtual
• Score sheet pick up will be spaced out and partitions may be used to separate staff from coaches
• All attendees (including coaches, athletes, spectators and Varsity Spirit staff) will be asked to monitor their own health prior to attending an event and follow the CDC guidelines for protecting themselves and others
• Coaches will be asked to review the Varsity Spirit Competition COVID Rules with anyone who is attending the event (coaches, athletes and spectators)

Varsity Spirit will adhere to restrictions on mass gatherings and capacity limitations based on local and venue guidelines. Because health, safety and distancing requirements vary across the country, the below may also vary by competition:

• Vendors may or may not be allowed on site to service an event, and safety measures and precautions may differ. For example, customers may not be able to touch or try on clothing before purchasing, and food may be limited to “grab and go” only and may only be eaten in designated areas.
• Spectator admission fees may be available only through advanced purchase or may be entirely cashless.
• Temperature checks for admission may be required based on local guidance.
• Managed traffic flow measures and signs will be implemented where required.

You can trust Varsity Spirit to lead the way in bringing back events safely. If you have additional questions regarding your specific event, please contact your State Director.