KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Kutztown University announced its decision to opt out of conference-mandated competition for fall and winter sports, and will pursue a conference-mandated spring sports season. The decision comes following the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's (PSAC) announcement Wednesday morning canceling mandated regular season and championship competition for fall sports during the 2020-21 academic year. The remaining conference presidents will determine their winter sports participation next week.
 
"After extensive evaluation and consultation, we have determined that Kutztown University will not compete in PSAC-mandated fall or winter sports competition during the 2021 spring semester," said president Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson. "While we know this decision is disappointing to our student-athletes and coaches who work so hard year-round to prepare for their seasons, this decision is in the best interest of the health and wellness of Golden Bear athletics and the entire campus community. We will continue to closely monitor the pandemic and medical advances in testing and treatments in the weeks ahead as we consider conducting a traditional spring sports season. We will also continue developing a plan to allow our fall and winter teams to conduct practices during the spring, which could include a limited number of scrimmages or competitions."
 
Wednesday morning's decision by the PSAC to cancel all mandated regular season and championship competition for fall sports that were to take place during the 2020-21 academic year was based on a majority vote of the Board of Directors -- the 18 presidents who preside over its member institutions.
 
In July, the Board made the decision to suspend all mandated conference athletic events and championships through Dec. 31, 2020.
 
The Board also voted to proceed with its intended mandated schedules and championships for 2021 spring sports. The Board tabled a decision on winter sports until next week; however, KU decided Wednesday to opt out of conference-mandated competition for fall and winter sports. The NCAA announced it was canceling Division II fall championships in August.
 
The Kutztown fall sports affected include men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, women's golf, women's soccer and women's volleyball. Winter sports impacted include men's and women's basketball, women's bowling, women's swimming, men's and women's indoor track & field and wrestling.
 
The university is committed to providing practice and other countable athletic related activity opportunities for its fall and winter student-athletes. KU continues to explore COVID-19 testing options that would allow fall and winter team practices to take place within university and NCAA health and safety guidelines.
 
The NCAA announced earlier this year that fall and winter student-athletes who compete during the 2020-21 academic year will receive an additional season of competition and extension of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that Kutztown University student-athletes will not lose a season of eligibility moving into the 2021-22 academic year.