Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2020-10-28

Duration: 00:54:33

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Public health | COVID-19 pandemic | Coronaviruses | Sports | FOOTBALL | Economy

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Moreau, Andre Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Vige, Andre Interviewee
• Held, Eric Panelist
• Jenkins, Dwain Panelist
• Hart, George Panelist
• Vincent, Herb Interviewee
• Fobbs, Broderick Interviewee
• Mullenix, Shelly Panelist
• Scott, Loren Panelist
• Feldman, Gabriel Panelist
• McClelland, Charles Panelist
• Binney, Zachary Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from October 28, 2020, features Andre Moreau leading a discussion with panelists on the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic on football in Louisiana. The first segment focuses on high school football and includes an interview with Coach Andre Vige of Eunice High School. The panelists are: Eric Held of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA); Dwain Jenkins, the football coach at Lutcher High School and the president of the Louisiana Football Coaches Association; and George Hart, a senior running back at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge. They discuss: Eunice football coach Paul Trosclair retiring due to COVID-19 concerns; the LHSAA’s decision to postpone the football season until October; the health and safety protocols in place; the changes to the college recruiting process; the procedure if a student tests positive for COVID-19; and the financial impact of reduced crowds on high school athletic programs. The second segment focuses on college football and includes interviews with Herb Vincent of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Grambling State University Football Coach Broderick Fobbs. The panelists are: Shelly Mullenix, the senior associate athletic director for health and wellness at Louisiana State University (LSU); Dr. Loren Scott, economist; Gabriel Feldman, director of the Sports Law Program at Tulane University; and Dr. Charles McClelland, commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). They discuss: LSU’s health and safety protocols; the economic losses at LSU and the SWAC conference; liability issues for colleges and universities; the procedure if a student tests positive for COVID-19; the upcoming vote on legalizing sports betting; and the procedures for college athletes who opt-out of playing the season due to COVID-19 concerns. The third segment focuses on professional football. The panelists are: Dr. Loren Scott, economist; Gabriel Feldman, director of the Sports Law Program at Tulane University; and Dr. Zachary Binney, an epidemiologist at Emory University. They discuss: the ramifications of a return to football on the pandemic; the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols; the economic losses in New Orleans; concerns about allowing fans to attend games; the policies in place for players who opted out of playing this season; and the NFL’s television deals. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Andre Moreau