The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced this morning the suspension of all conference athletic events and championships through the fall semester in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. PSAC 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.
“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,” explains PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray.
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.
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.
“It is our intent to have all sports competing during the spring semester. The next six weeks will be used to determine what types of countable athletically-related activities will be permitted during the fall semester and planning for the return to competition in the spring, which includes all sports affected by the 2020 suspension,” notes Jeff Michaels, athletics director at Ship.
“Our athletic programs are the pulse of the university, and a profound source of pride,” adds Laurie A. Carter, president, adding “ I am heartbroken. I grieve the loss of our fall sports programs, but we are Raider-strong. The sacrifices we make now helps protect our community.”
More information, including FAQs, will be posted to www.shipraiders.com/coronavirus as it becomes available. This website will serve as a resource hub for our student-athletes.
