Mizzou athletic director Jim Sterk remains hopeful there will be fall sports at MU this year.

“I’m back to being pretty dang optimistic about what’s going on. I’ve had my highs and lows,” Sterk said. “I don’t control the virus, but I think the next two weeks will really determine if we can get to that full season.”

You can watch Sterk’s full Zoom news conference in the video player above.

Sterk would not specify on the latest COVID-19 testing numbers within the athletic department, but MU reported on Monday there were 159 total positive student cases. That’s 0.5% of the student body.

“Right now, I’ve gotten that we’re doing alright,” Sterk said. “We’re doing okay, and so far, so good as far as the University and the number of cases and being able to manage those. I think we’re in as good a place as possible.”

In an unrelated note, Sterk also said the athletic department received a $2 million donation from Kansas City native Dave Johnson and his wife Sandra Castetter.