PSAC FALL SEMESTER SUSPENSION FAQs

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -- The board of directors of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference voted Tuesday, July 14, to suspend all mandated conference athletic events and championships through the fall semester in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference has already undertaken a full review of its ability to shift Fall 2020 sports competition and championships to the Spring 2021 semester and fully intends to do so if a return to competition can be safely executed. 
 
"The entire conference has worked hard these last few months to prepare for the return of sports to our campuses beginning this fall," explained PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. "However, it has become apparent that the safe conduct of sports under the guidelines of social distancing is untenable for our members. We cannot place our student-athletes at greater risk than the general student body. Despite our planning and collective efforts, it has become clear that we are not able to do so."

"While I'm disappointed for all of our student-athletes who compete during the fall semester, especially our seniors, this decision is in the best interest of the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and loyal Golden Bear fans," said Kutztown University Director of Athletics Greg Bamberger. "Kutztown University, the PSAC and its member institutions are working diligently to determine policies and procedures that will maximize the student-athlete experience, both academically and athletically, for the 2020-21 academic year. This is the most fluid situation many of us have ever encountered, but the health and safety of our student-athletes and campus community remains paramount. We will get through this."

Wednesday's announcement by the PSAC renders Kutztown University without intercollegiate athletics in the fall for the first time since the early 1940s, when seasons were halted due to World War II.

The PSAC and its member institutions will develop guidelines for all teams to continue individual skill instruction as well as strength and conditioning activities under social distancing protocols by the end of the summer. The determination as to when winter and spring sports may begin workouts and practices will be considered at a later date.
 
"We are committed to giving our student-athletes the chance to compete during this academic year," said Geraldine Jones, President of California University of Pennsylvania and newly elected chair of the PSAC board of directors. "Many institutions and conferences are facing the same circumstances as we are, and if it is safe to return to competition, we will work with them and the NCAA to provide our teams with a championship experience during the spring semester. We know this is a huge disappointment for our student-athletes who work so very hard in their sport. This decision was not taken lightly and we feel saddened by having to do so." 
 
"The circumstance we find ourselves in is unprecedented and thus we are taking unprecedented measures," added Murray. "The contraction of COVID-19 and its viral spread are not the types of risks those involved with sports activities face under normal circumstances. Therefore, we cannot expose our student-athletes, coaches and university personnel to those risks. It is a painful step we are taking, but we feel it is the right one."
 
All fall and winter sports scheduled to begin before Jan. 1, 2021, are impacted by this decision. The conference will evaluate the necessary schedule changes and will communicate its plans for moving all competitions to the spring semester at a later date.
 
ABOUT THE PSAC
Headquartered in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference comprised of 18 institutions in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The member institutions are Bloomsburg University, California University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University, East Stroudsburg University, Edinboro University, Gannon University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown University, Lock Haven University, Mansfield University, Mercyhurst University, Millersville University, The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Seton Hill University, Shepherd University, Shippensburg University, Slippery Rock University and West Chester University.