WESTFIELD, Mass.-- The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Friday announced that it will cancel all winter sports for the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The MaSCAC presidents, athletic directors and athletic trainers came to the conclusion after an exhaustive review of all possibilities to hold competitions within the guidelines set by the NCAA and the commonwealth of Massachusetts, according to a statement from the league on Friday morning.

 

Similar to the fall sports, the state universities are planning to provide winter sport student-athletes with on-campus, in-person practices, conditioning and training opportunities throughout their traditional season to support their physical and mental well-being. These practice and training opportunities will not use a year of NCAA eligibility and will be done in compliance with the campus, state, federal and NCAA COVID guidance and protocols.

 

“The MaSCAC Presidents have been continuously observing the pandemic and guidelines from local, state, federal and NCAA officials which has led us to the decision to cancel winter sports competition during the spring semester,” Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President James Birge said.

 

Birge chairs the MaSCAC Council of Presidents.

 

Affiliates will be able to schedule non-conference contests at their discretion.

 

“We explored countless scenarios to find a safe path forward with the evolving recommendations and policies from the NCAA and the state for our winter sport student-athletes,” MaSCAC Commissioner Angela Baumann said. “After consultation with our medical staff and athletic directors, the MaSCAC Presidents came to the conclusion there is not a way to ensure the safety of our student-athletes and staff with off campus winter competition, the risks are far too great.”

 

Throughout the 2020-21 academic year, the MaSCAC will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with special features, facts and trivia commemorating the event. Our conference has a rich history of success on the playing field and in the classroom. Over the academic year, the conference will be highlighting the student-athletes, teams, coaches, and administrators from the last 50 years.