SUNYAC announces return of spring sports

Dr. Jim Malatras, chancellor of the State University of New York, announced the resumption of spring sports by the State University of New York Athletic Conference.

During a press conference held this afternoon at Oswego State, Dr. Malatras said competition in baseball, softball, men's and women's lacrosse, women's tennis, and men's and women's track and field will begin in late March. It'll mark the return to SUNYAC play after a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Malatras highlighted the following points:

• Conference will be split into East/West region to limit travel and overnight stays
• Masks worn at all times by athletes, coaches, officials, except for athletes during competition or active practice
• No spectators pursuant to New York State Department of Health guidance
• Regular weekly testing/COVID symptom checks prior to competition
• Prior to road games, athletes will be tested within three days of departure
• No eating, masks worn on buses for travel; bus capacity reduced to 50 percent
• No handshakes, group celebrations or pre- or post-interaction with opposing team

Fredonia State University President Dr. Stephen H. Kolison Jr. sent a letter to the campus community following the chancellor's announcement.

"I would like to emphasize," Dr. Kolison wrote, "that Fredonia's participation is contingent upon the trajectory of the pandemic, the state of the COVID-19 virus on our campus, and the health of our student-athletes. We will constantly evaluate our situation as the semester goes along, and as sports practices and contests proceed. The Uniform Sanctioning in Response to COVID-19 Student Violations Policy has not changed and will be enforced for athletics as it is for other areas of campus. It is important that I am clear that our participation will have to be suspended if it is determined that the health of our student-athletes or our campus as a whole are being impacted by COVID-19 infections."

Blue Devil Director of Athletics Jerry Fisk said that group practices and Dods Hall Performance Center workout sessions can began as early as Wednesday. This will allow all teams -- not just spring sports -- to begin working out in pods and have some return to normalcy.

"While this is great news," Mr. Fisk wrote in a letter to student-athletes, "and I am thankful that we are able to begin, I want to stress what Chancellor Malatras and Dr. Kolison conveyed in their messages. This is not a finish line that we have crossed. The diligence that you've shown in doing the right things -- wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding situations that don't fall in line with the current guidelines, and in general acting responsibly during this pandemic -- must continue. The Uniform Sanctioning in Response to COVID-19 Student Violations Policy has not changed and will be enforced for athletics as it is for other areas of campus."