The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference votes to suspend all mandated conference athletic events and championships through the fall semester in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference voted on Tuesday,
July 14, to suspend all mandated conference athletic events and championships through
the fall semester in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Conference has already
undertaken a full review of its ability to shift fall sports competition and championships
to the spring semester and fully intends to do so if a return to competition can be
safely executed.
"The entire conference has worked hard these last few months to prepare for the return
of sports to our campuses beginning this fall," explains PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray.
"However, it has become apparent that the safe conduct of sports under the guidelines
of social distancing is untenable for our members. We cannot place our student-athletes
at greater risk than the general student body. Despite our planning and collective
efforts, it has become clear that we are not able to do so.”
"We are committed to giving our student-athletes the chance to compete during this
academic year," adds Geraldine Jones, President of California University of Pennsylvania
and newly elected chair of the PSAC Board of Directors. "Many institutions and conferences
are facing the same circumstances as we are, and if it is safe to return to competition, we
will work with them and the NCAA to provide our teams with a championship experience during
the spring semester. We know this is a huge disappointment for our student-athletes
who work so very hard in their sport. This decision was not taken lightly and we feel
saddened by having to do so.”
The Conference and its member institutions will develop guidelines for all teams to
continue individual skill instruction as well as strength and conditioning activities
under social distancing protocols by the end of the summer. The determination as to
when winter and spring sports may begin workouts and practices will be considered
at a later date.
"The circumstances we find ourselves in are unprecedented and thus we are taking unprecedented
measures," adds Murray. "The contraction of COVID-19 and its viral spread are not
the types of risks those involved with sports activities face under normal circumstances.
Therefore, we cannot expose our student-athletes, coaches and university personnel
to those risks. It is a painful step we are taking, but we feel it is the right one."
All fall and winter sports scheduled to begin before January 1 are impacted by this
decision. The Conference will evaluate the necessary schedule changes and will communicate
its plans for moving all competitions to the spring semester at a later date.