(Radio Iowa) — The University of Northern Iowa began welcoming athletes back to campus beginning today with veteran football players. It is part of a staggered process that will have all athletes back by the end of the month. UNI athletic director David Harris.

Harris says athletes will be monitored daily.

Harris believes bringing back sports at different times is the safest approach.

Panther football coach Mark Farley says about 60 percent of the tream has returned and with it comes a responsibility.

Farley says they will take extra precautions to make sure players are separated as much as possible.

Farley is more confident there will be a complete season with fans but it is not what the team is focused on.

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa football players returned to campus to prepare for voluntary workouts amid an uproar. Former players over the past several days alleged systemic racism and other mistreatment in the program. The team’s strength coach, Chris Doyle, has been placed on administrative leave and coach Kirk Ferentz’s leadership was called into question. About two dozen current players took to social media to voice messages of unity. None complained directly about his treatment.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska says receiver JD Spielman has put his name into the transfer portal. Spielman is the first player to put together three straight 800-yard receiving seasons for the Cornhuskers and leaves No. 3 in career receptions and yards. Nebraska coach Scott Frost announced in March that Spielman had left the team to deal with an unspecified health matter and probably would miss all of spring practice. Spielman would have been a senior in eligibility this fall. It was unclear if he’s on track to graduate this summer, which would make him immediately eligible at his next school. He is the son of Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.

NEW YORK (AP) — Over the years, baseball’s amateur draft has featured big hits, bad calls and even back-to-back home runs. Now, it’s about to enter the next phase of an ongoing development — same as all those young prospects who get picked every year. This year’s event, which begins Wednesday night, was slashed from 40 rounds to five because of the coronavirus pandemic. And with more permanent changes possibly coming, including a new home on the horizon, the June draft that began in 1965 might never look the same.

The following is a letter posted on social media today (Monday) from Exira-EHK School District Administrators and Coaches, with regard to COVID-19 safety and compliance:

“Dear Exira-EHK Spartans,

Our first games are scheduled for June 15. As we prepare and distribute information to our athletes, coaches, spectators, and other game management personnel, we ask for your patience and understanding. Our goal is to provide a safe environment for our athletes, coaches, umpires, and fans.

I believe Iowa will be the first state in the country to resume competitive high school sports this summer. The entire country will be watching Iowa. Therefore, it is imperative that we successfully navigate competitive team sports during the pandemic. If we are not successful, it could mean we miss out on fall and/or winter sports later this year.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.

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ATLANTA (AP) — Former Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Cardinals defensive end John Zook has died in his native Kansas after a long battle with cancer. Zook teamed with Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey to give the Falcons a dynamic combination at defensive end from 1969-75. Zook never missed a game during his tenure with the Falcons, starting 97 of 98 contests. He made his only Pro Bowl appearance in 1973, joining Humphrey in the all-star game.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive back and five-time All-Pro Ken Riley has died at 72. Drafted by the Bengals in 1969, Riley had 65 career interceptions for 596 yards and five touchdowns in a 15-year career with the Bengals. He also recovered 18 fumbles, and his interception total ranks fifth in NFL history. He later became head coach and athletic director at Florida A&M.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Former University of Florida and NFL wide receiver Reche Caldwell was fatally shot Saturday night in his hometown. Caldwell’s mother confirmed her son’s death to the Tampa Bay Times, saying police told her they believe her son was ambushed outside his home in a possible robbery attempt. Caldwell was drafted by San Diego in the second round in 2002. He had 152 catches for 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns in six NFL seasons.

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — Kevin Harvick picked up his second victory since NASCAR resumed its schedule, outpacing Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. inside Atlanta Motor Speedway. Harvick moved into sole possession of 12th place on the career victories list with 51, passing Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson. Three of those triumphs have come at Atlanta Motor Speedway, including in 2001 and 2018. Seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson finished seventh in what was likely his final Cup race in Atlanta.

GREEN BAY, Wisc. (AP) — Will Ryan is the new men’s basketball coach at Green Bay, replacing Linc Darner. The son of former Wisconsin hoops coach Bo Ryan comes to Green Bay after posting a 14-13 record in his lone season as the head coach at Division II program Wheeling in West Virginia. Darner went 92-80 and posted a winning record in all but one of his five seasons with the Phoenix.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa football strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle denies any “unethical behavior or bias” based on race after being accused by several former players of contributing to what they allege is systemic racism in the program. Doyle was placed on administrative leave Saturday. The move was made by coach Kirk Ferentz in what he called “a defining moment” for Iowa’s football program.

Several black former players posted on social media Friday night about issues they saw in the football program and attributed many to Doyle. The 51-year-old assistant coach issued a statement Sunday on Twitter in which he disputes the claims.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa football strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle has been placed on administrative leave after several black former players posted on social media about what they described as systemic racism in the program.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz made the announcement Saturday night and called it “a defining moment” for Iowa’s football program in a video posted on the team’s Twitter account. Ferentz said he saw difficult and heartbreaking posts on social media and appreciated the former players’ candor. He added that he has been reaching out to many of them individually to hear more about their experiences in our program.

Dozens of former players took to social media in the past few days to detail the troubling issues they allege they saw and experienced while playing at Iowa.

w/ Chris Parks

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(Radio Iowa) The fans return to Knoxville Raceway tomorrow night (Saturday night), and Race Director John McCoy says their plan is to fill the grandstand to about 35 percent to allow for social distancing. The track hosted a World Of Outlaws’ event a few weeks ago without fans.

McCoy says they can seat up to four thousand fans on the front stretch and safely “social distance”.

McCoy says their limit in the pits will be 75 cars.

(Radio Iowa) — Senior defensive end Chauncey Golston is the leader of an Iowa defensive line that lost three starters from a year ago. Golston posted nine and a half tackles for a loss last season, including three sacks, for a Hawkeye team that finished 10-3.

Golston says the important thing is to lead by example.

Veteran players return to campus for voluntary workouts beginning Monday.