Official at Robert Morris' NEC championship game tests positive for coronavirus

One of three officials who worked the Northeast Conference men’s basketball championship game March 10 at Robert Morris University has tested positive for the covid-19 virus, the school announced Tuesday night in a statement.

Donnie Eppley, Earl Walton and Mike Palau officiated the game that was played between teams from Robert Morris and St. Francis (Pa.) at the UPMC Events Center in Moon.

Robert Morris assistant athletic director Jim Duzyk, who was at the game, said no one from the Colonials’ team has exhibited symptoms of the coronavirus.

“We all feel good. We don’t feel sick,” Duzyk said.

All three officials worked a conference tournament game the following night — Eppley in Indianapolis, Walton in Hamilton, N.Y., and Palau in Atlantic City, N.J.

The identity of the official who tested positive has not been released.

The NEC has notified both schools and tournament staffers who may have come in close contact with the official. The game was a week ago, but the NEC officials urge those who attended the game to monitor for symptoms that include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. Anyone who exhibits these symptoms should contact their physician.

Here is the statement from Jonathan Potts, Robert Morris’ vice president for Public Relations:

“Robert Morris University was notified by the Northeast Conference (Tuesday night) that an official who worked the March 10 NEC men’s basketball championship at the UPMC Events Center had tested positive for the covid-19 virus.

“As soon as the university learned this, we followed clinical protocols provided by the UPMC team physician for notifying those who may have come into contact with the official.

“We have been advised that they are at a low risk of infection. Out of an abundance of caution, we are notifying all students, faculty and staff.”