MCC Among SUNY Community Colleges to Cancel 2020-21 NJCAA Winter Competition for High-risk Indoor Sports
December 8, 2020
BRIGHTON, N.Y. – After careful consideration and dialogue, SUNY Community Colleges (27 of 30) that are members of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), including Monroe Community College, have collectively decided to cancel intercollegiate competition for the 2020-2021 indoor sports that are considered “high risk” for COVID-19 exposure and spread of infection. These sports include basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading and dance.
The low- to moderate-risk indoor sports, including bowling and swimming & diving, may compete in a virtual setting and must adhere to COVID-19 protocols. Plans are underway to schedule virtual meets for MCC’s swimming and diving team, pending the completion of pool repairs by mid-February (before the first scheduled competition).
Campuses will have the option to hold on-campus workouts and training with student-athletes, should the institution allow it in a structured and monitored environment. All MCC teams, including basketball and volleyball, will continue to have access to athletic training services and will practice following local, state and national guidance.
NJCAA SUNY Community Colleges will continue planning for what is hoped to be the safe resumption of intercollegiate athletics in spring 2021. Traditional spring sports and several traditional fall sports have been moved to spring, per the NJCAA 2021 Sports Guidelines. An official announcement on spring sports’ status will be made in January. Currently, detailed sport-specific guidelines and protocols are in development, and plans for return to play and return to competition will be informed by nationally recognized sport-specific agencies along with New York state, local Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and governing athletic associations.
NJCAA SUNY Community Colleges’ decisions will continue to be guided by best practice and cautious adherence to health and safety protocols that will safeguard the well-being of student-athletes, staff, campuses and communities. The colleges commit to ongoing collaborative efforts to develop cohesive safety plans to implement on campuses in support of student-athletes.