The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced in a press release Wednesday morning that all athletic events and championships through the 2020 fall semester are officially suspended in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The PSAC Board of Directors voted on the suspension Tuesday, according to the release. However, the PSAC plans to shift all fall sports to the spring semester so all student-athletes receive a chance to compete in their respective sports, the release said.
"The entire conference has worked hard these last few months to prepare for the return of sports to our campuses beginning this fall," said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray in Wednesday morning’s press release. "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.”
Winter sports will also suffer from the decision as the suspension runs through Dec. 31. According to the PSAC, the conference will evaluate all necessary schedule changes and will communicate its plans to move all competitions to the spring at a later date.
Additionally, Shippensburg University officials followed suit, releasing their statement Wednesday morning.
The university will suspend athletic competition to promote the well-being of student-athletes and athletic department personnel, according to the release.
SU Athletics Director Jeff Michaels said the decision was not made lightly and the university is aiming to have “all sports competing during the spring semester.”
In the release, SU President Laurie Carter said, “Our athletic programs are the pulse of the University, and a profound source of pride. I am heartbroken. I grieve the loss of our fall sports programs, but we are Raider-strong. The sacrifices we make now helps protect our community.”
If you are a student-athlete seeking more information, visit the PSAC’s website or shipraiders.com/coronavirus.
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