LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) 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 very disappointed for our student-athletes and coaches, but at the same time, we support the decision made by the PSAC Board of Directors,” said Mercyhurst University Director of Athletics Brad Davis. “It is clear that suspending fall sports is necessary to protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, our campus and the Erie community. We look forward to providing them the opportunity to train and practice safely this fall, while continuing their excellence in the classroom. Mercyhurst remains committed to the health and safety of our student-athletes and providing them the best experience possible.”
Due to the cancellation, Mercyhurst will not compete during the Fall 2020 Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC)-West Region season.
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.
Information courtesy Mercyhurst University Athletics Communications
