LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced the cancellation of its mandated regular-season and championship competition for winter sports, Wednesday, following a vote of the league's Board of Directors. 

Last week, the Board canceled PSAC championship seasons in fall sports, yet allowed for league championship opportunities in those sports should six or more schools elect to participate. All schools electing to play must abide by existing league rules and the NCAA guidelines that have been set due to the existing COVID-19 pandemic. The same requirements exist for the winter sports that have been canceled.

The Board agreed to proceed with the intent to play a full regular and championship season for all spring sports in 2021.

Kutztown University previously announced its intention to opt out of conference-mandated competition for both fall and winter sports, while pursuing a full spring sports season, during the 2020-21 academic year.

Should member institutions wish to compete in fall and winter sport championship seasons, they are to declare their intent to the conference office by the end of the work day today, Nov. 18. The PSAC office will review all notifications and make an announcement as soon as possible as to whether there is support to continue with a championship season in any of those sports. 

"With careful consideration to health concerns and realistic abilities to conduct sport seasons amid this pandemic, our conference and our membership is forced to make some very difficult decisions," said PSAC commissioner Steve Murray. "With the time we have to continue weighing our options, we are fully committed to playing a spring sports season. We will remain supportive of any other decisions to play sports and host championship events should our membership view it as a safe and reasonable opportunity." 

Fall and winter sports that may be subject to cancellation include: men's and women's basketball, cross country, indoor track & field, soccer and swimming, as well as the women's sports of volleyball and field hockey, and men's sports of football and wrestling. Any cancellation of league schedules or championships does not preclude individual institutions from participating in countable athletic related activities nor exploring competition outside of the previously mandated schedule.