Dr. Schovanec Talks Power Problems, Covid-19, & Tech Basketball

Wednesday on KFYO Mornings with Dave King and Matt Martin, The President of Texas Tech University Dr. Lawrence Schovanec joined Dave and Matt to talk about the current power problems Texas is facing, their COVID-19 numbers, Tech Basketball and Baseball, enrollment numbers, and more.

Dr. Schovanec started the discussion by talking about the various struggles that Tech has had, both with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the current electricity problems that Texas is facing. Schovanec said that it feels like they are being tested, and that they've had rolling blackouts in some of the residential halls on 19th street. Despite this, with the changes to learning that had to be made last Spring due to COVID-19, he says that they are better equipped to handle these unexpected situations.

When asked how COVID-19 is currently affecting Tech, Schovanec explained that all the numbers for cases can be found on their website. He reports that there were no new cases yesterday, that there are currently 18 students and 5 staff members with the virus for a total of 23 active cases, and that last week there were 10 students who contracted the virus in the entire week. This is a huge improvement from this time last year where Tech was reporting hundreds of new cases. "We have done so well," Schovanec said, "We are very fortunate to be where we are right now, and this is very encouraging for next Fall." The President looks forward to their next Fall semester where he wants 80% of courses to have some degree of face-to-face interactions. He encourages students to get their vaccinations, and hopes that they can get back to normal as quickly and safely as possible.

Another topic that Dr. Schovanec discussed was the state of Texas Tech basketball. Schovanec explained that the first game against TCU had to be cancelled, but they are still scheduled to play their next game against TCU, as well as several others, including Kansas and Oklahoma State. Schovanec says that due to various postponements, including a postponement of the first Big 12 game, their schedule hasn't gotten any easier, but that Coach Beard and his staff have been doing a great job, and Tech itself hasn't actually had to cancel any games. He does, however, worry about the negative affect that these schedules, procedures, and isolations could have on athletes.

Watch the full interview with Dr. Lawrence Schovanec in the video above.

KFYO Mornings with Dave King & Matt Martin airs weekday mornings live, from 6:00 AM to 8:30 AM on News/Talk 95.1 FM and 790 AM KFYO, online at KFYO.com, & on the free KFYO app.