The Middle Atlantic Conference will try to get creative in the spring after canceling all sports through the upcoming fall semester.
The MAC announced its decision Friday, saying that “After careful consideration of internal and external circumstances and with the health and well-being of each campus and community in mind, the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Presidents made the difficult decision to suspend all intercollegiate athletics competition through the fall semester in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“This decision was very difficult, as we know how deep the love of the game is for our student-athletes and that intercollegiate events are an important part of campus life for our entire community,” said Dr. Andrea E. Chapdelaine, chair of MAC President’s Council and the president of Hood College. “However, we are confident that our coaches and athletic staff will work with the students to build an engaging athletic experience for our student-athletes while mitigating the risk of COVID-19.”
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There are 18 members of the MAC, a Division III conference based in Annville, Penn. The press release said that the MAC presidents believe athletics play an important role. Therefore, they “are committed to exploring creative approaches and alternatives that will provide future competitive experiences for fall sport student-athletes in the spring semester as circumstances allow.”
The MAC COVID-19 Advisory Group help the presidents and athletic directors watch the ongoing situation with an eye on engaging all student-athletes during the fall semester while following health and safety guidelines; shifting fall sports seasons to the spring; beginning winter sports competition in 2021; implementing conference-wide safety measures; and developing new conference-wide programs for personal and professional development.
The MAC isn’t alone, as conferences all over the country have postponed or canceled entire seasons as the 2020-21 school year approaches.
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