The NCAA voted Wednesday to allow football, and men's and women's basketball teams to return to campuses for voluntary activities starting June 1, but the Gophers and other teams might wait longer.
Individual schools will have to work within state government guidelines and overall campus policies to determine when and how to return safely.
"A return to campus date has not yet been determined for our student-athletes, but we will follow plans developed by President Joan Gabel and her leadership team to thoughtfully and carefully resume University operations, including ours in Gopher Athletics," Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle said in a statement. "We will work closely with our campus leadership and take action based on guidance from state and public health officials, and the University's own medical and public health experts."
Under Minnesota's current Stay Safe MN plan, gyms would not be open as of June 1, though the state government will allow outdoor activities and gatherings of 10 or fewer people. The university has canceled all in-person classes through the summer.
University public relations director Jake Ricker said in a statement that any plan to return to campus "would consider the latest guidance and data available to mitigate risks and provide a safe and healthy environment for not only the student-athletes, but coaches and staff as well."
The Big Ten previously announced a suspension of team activities through June 1, with the conference's presidents and chancellors next meeting June 7 to discuss any potential conference regulations after the NCAA's ruling.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith told reporters he intends to begin team workouts June 8, starting with local players.
"We feel that the facilities we have, with the protocols that we can put in place, is the best-protected environment [as opposed to public gyms]," Smith said.