Tiger Nation,
 
This update has been in the works for quite some time, and I wanted to first and foremost thank you for your patience as we try to navigate through many unforeseen challenges. I hope you and your families are staying safe and healthy.
 
I spent the first two weeks of self-isolation in an empty Towson Center before finally setting up my home office. Gone too quickly were the days of seeing groups of student-athletes, coaches and staff move about the building and going through our day-to-day routines. I appreciate just how meaningful those small moments mean to me, although not realizing it at the time, and I am incredibly thankful for them.
 
I can't wait to get back to the way things were before the COVID-19 pandemic. While our exact date of return is not clear, we have begun deliberate planning for TU's recovery and reopening; President Kim Schatzel has just announced the creation of the ReTUrn to TU Task Force. This group is charged with developing an effective public health and operations plan for Towson University that charts a path to the safe reopening of campus and return to classes for the 2020–21 academic year. We will keep you updated as the committee progresses.
 
In the meantime, it is my hope that we can stay positive, compassionate and focused on our core values of what it means to be a Towson Tiger, especially when it comes to putting the needs and well-being of our student-athletes first.
 
Although the Towson Center is empty and South Campus is no longer buzzing, I can assure you that every member of the Black & Gold has been extremely busy. During this extended remote period, Towson Athletics has taken all steps necessary to ensure that the critical needs of our student-athletes are met, and that our athletic department is operating proactively and fluidly as new challenges arise.
 
I wanted to take this opportunity to provide some of those efforts with you.

• Team Communications and Student-Athlete Wellbeing: All student-athletes are safe and accounted for as they complete their studies online. Head coaches are operating remotely and are continuing to communicate with their teams through various platforms to keep them engaged and focused.
• Physical Training and Wellness: I'd like to applaud the unwavering dedication of our strength and conditioning, nutrition, and sports medicine teams during this time of adjustment. Collectively, they oversee the well-being of over 500 student-athletes as it pertains to their physical health and development. They've utilized every means necessary to continue to educate our Tigers as they adjust to living off-campus and away from the resources they're used to. Our strength and conditioning coaches have provided each student-athlete with an individualized, home training program. Our nutritionist has engaged with every team to encourage proper eating habits while fueling at home.
• Facility Enhancements: Due to the incredible generosity of TAF donors, construction projects that were scheduled to take place during this time are still moving along, including the replacement of the turf at Johnny Unitas® Stadium and Phase II of Tiger Field and the Lower Fields Project.
• Celebrating Student-Athlete Commitment: During this time of disappointment and devastation for so many of our student-athletes, we want to do everything in our power to show our appreciation and support of their commitment to the Black & Gold. The Tiger Athletic Fund is carrying out their annual Student-Athlete Appreciation Month to showcase some of our hardworking Tigers. I would encourage you to get a feel for their current mindsets, given the changes that they are experiencing. You can follow the campaign here.
• Season Tickets: We always have you, our loyal supporters in mind and are committed to being fluid. We recognize that many families have been impacted economically by COVID-19. Earlier this month, our ticket team extended the deadline for early bird season ticket prices for football. If conditions permit, we plan to launch men's basketball ticket sales sometime in early summer. The ticket team can also provide flexible payment plan options that work for you.
• Financial Landscape: We understand that you have many questions regarding the financial landscape of Towson Athletics. I can assure you that we are working tirelessly to ensure that the student-athlete experience is unaffected by the financial shortfalls endured as a result of the shortened spring season. We have implemented cost saving measures, including a spending freeze for all teams and departments through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2020. As we make pertinent decisions, we will communicate them with you as soon as possible.

We have received an incredible amount of inquiries as to how you can help the Tigers through these trying times as they cope with their seasons ending abruptly and at no fault of their own. As we continue to assess the severe financial impacts as a result of COVID-19, we will reach out with specific ways you can make an impact. For now, all that I ask is you continue to show your love for the Black & Gold and demonstrate what it means to be TU Proud.
 
We recognize that you care greatly about the well-being of the Tigers and all that we are able to do directly correlates to your generosity. It is through the ongoing commitment of Tiger Nation that we are able to propel forward and continue to Build Greatness.
 
I can't thank you enough for your continued support of Towson Athletics. By taking challenges on one at a time with optimism, patience and kindness, we will come out stronger than ever. United we ROAR.
 
Stay safe! With Black & Gold Pride,
 
Tim Leonard
Director of Athletics
Towson University