ANNVILLE, Pa. (Conference News) – After careful consideration of internal and external circumstances and with the health and well-being of each campus and community in mind, the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Presidents made the difficult decision to suspend all intercollegiate athletics competition through the fall semester in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MAC Presidents are well aware of the important role athletics plays in the lives of student-athletes and are committed to exploring creative approaches and alternatives that will provide future competitive experiences for fall sport student-athletes in the spring semester as circumstances allow.

The MAC presidents, athletics directors and the MAC COVID-19 Advisory Group will continue to evaluate the athletics landscape throughout the 2020-21 academic year to address:
 

• Engaging fall, winter and spring sport student-athletes in the fall term with coaches following all institutional, local and national health and safety guidelines

• Shifting fall sport competitive seasons to the spring, insofar as possible

• Scheduling winter sports competition beginning in 2021

• Implementing league-wide and campus safety measures for practices and competitions when they do occur

• Developing league-wide and institutional personal and professional development programming

"This decision was very difficult, as we know how deep the love of the game is for our student-athletes and that intercollegiate events are an important part of campus life for our entire community," said Dr. Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Chair of MAC Presidents' Council and Hood College President. "However, we are confident that our coaches and athletic staff will work with the students to build an engaging athletic experience for our student-athletes while mitigating the risk of COVID-19."

"We are incredibly saddened by the suspension of athletics competition at this time and heartbroken for the student-athletes that are impacted," Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Granata said. "This decision was not arrived at lightly. The Arcadia Athletics administration, coaches, and medical staff will work diligently on protocols for a safe return-to-sport for our programs. The health and safety of our student-athletes and staff will remain our top priority."

General questions will be addressed through an FAQ document available here.

Questions about the MAC's response not addressed in the FAQs can be directed to questions@gomacsports.com.

Related: NCAA Division III Administrative Committee Approves Blanket Waivers for Participation | NCAA Issues Next Set of Return to Sport Guidelines

Arcadia Athletics Fall 2020 FAQ

What sports will be able to compete during the fall semester?

Arcadia will not be competing in any sports during the Fall 2020 semester following the Middle Atlantic Conference's (MAC) announcement on July 24.  

Will fall and winter sports compete at all in 2020-21?

Currently, there will be no athletic competition through the conclusion of the Fall 2020 semester.  We will work continuously with the guidance provided by the NCAA and the MAC to consider any options for competition for fall/winter sports in the winter and/or spring.

When will students know if winter and spring sports are happening?

We know that there will not be any athletic competition until at least January 1, 2021. No decisions have been made about the winter or spring seasons yet. We will continue to  work within the guidance set forth by the NCAA and the MAC to consider any options for competition for fall/winter sports in the winter and/or spring.

What impact would only being able to practice or play a limited number of games have on my eligibility with the NCAA?

Per revised NCAA rules, students will not use a season of eligibility if their team does not compete during the traditional sport season. On July 9, the NCAA issued a blanket waiver providing guidance regarding eligibility concerns for teams who play a limited number of contests, or whose seasons end prematurely. The blanket waiver states that student-athletes will not be charged with participation for the 2020-21 season if their team can complete only 50 percent or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NCAA also approved a second blanket waiver which permits student-athletes to receive a two-semester/three-quarter extension of eligibility if the student-athlete is unable to participate in their sport during the 2020-21 academic year due to the impact of COVID-19 or if the student-athlete's team completed 50 percent or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to COVID-19.  

NCAA Division III has also provided flexibility in the playing season (114 days for athletically-related activities) for all sports in 2020-21. There is no longer a distinction between "traditional" and "non-traditional" seasons. 

What will it be like to participate on a team at Arcadia as a student-athlete on campus this fall?

Cross country, field hockey, golf, soccer, tennis and women's volleyball will be able to participate in athletics activity that follows all campus protocols and procedures for health and safety and is phased in over time as contemplated by the NCAA resocialization of sport considerations. The intent is to work toward full team practices if circumstances allow. Per campus policies and public health guidelines, winter sports will work toward practicing in the fall semester to prepare for competition in 2021.

Coaches will also engage with student-athletes in a number of ways, including academic monitoring meetings, film work (where appropriate), skill development, leadership programming, community service, and team-bonding.

Do I still need to complete my athletic training paperwork over the summer?

In order to participate in any team activities, practices, individual skill work, or strength/conditioning during the Fall 2020 semester, student-athletes must complete their athletic training paperwork. For more information, click here.

Will student-athletes who are on campus for the fall have access to the services and support provided through sports performance?  

Arcadia Athletics is continuing to work on specific protocols regarding all activity that occurs within the athletics facilities. We are making plans for student-athletes and teams to engage with our strength and conditioning staff. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Has the NCAA announced any changes to the 2020-2021 sports seasons?

There have been no announcements regarding any adjustments to the NCAA championships.

When will student-athletes arrive on campus now that the fall preseason has been canceled?

Fall sport residential student-athletes likely received their move-in date already. Previously, move-in was supposed to occur between August 14-16. If a fall residential student-athlete wants to amend their move-in date, they should resubmit their housing application with an amended arrival date. Questions may be directed to housing@arcadia.edu. 

When will athletic facilities re-open? 

Arcadia Athletics is working on plans to reopen athletic facilities on Tuesday, August 11. More information will be provided when those plans are solidified.