The University of Virginia (UVA) is widely recognized for its basketball prowess and has a national championship in 2019 to prove it. Given the importance of basketball at UVA, it's sadly ironic that basketball has been disallowed for the almost the entire fall semester with no anticipated changes in sight. While students cram unmasked into bars on the corner, crowd together in Scott Stadium, and exercise unmasked in group fitness classes, the basketball courts remain closed for pickup. This is at once both illogical and discriminatory. The situation is even more frustrating and perplexing considering that intramural basketball is still allowed. Intramural slots are limited though, and as the weather grows colder and opportunities to play outdoors grow scarce, it's time for the UVA Administration to provide students the opportunity to play pick up basketball which has proved to be a positive recreational outlet for thousands of UVA students. 

We recognize the importance of preventing the spread of COVID-19, but the current restrictions on pickup basketball are unjustifiable given how other forms of exercise and group gatherings are allowed -- many times without masks. Furthermore, we recognize that the restriction was put in place due to the failure to comply with the masking requirement. Unfortunately, this decision was made unilaterally without warning and without giving students an opportunity to adjust their behavior. For a school that rests on the foundation of an Honor Code, it seems only right that students should have the opportunity to play pick up basketball as long as they commit on their honor to abide by masking rules. We also point to the fact that as of Sept. 15th, not a single UVA student had been hospitalized due to COVID-19 in this academic school year (https://news.virginia.edu/content/answering-key-questions-about-covid-19-uva 

It's time to let the Hoos hoop!