STORY HIGHLIGHTS
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NAC cancels men's and women's basketball regular season and postseason
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First official NAC Swimming & Diving Championship moved to next winter; NAC to conduct virtual swimming & diving invitational, slated for March 13-14, 2021
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NAC Presidents endorse plans for traditional fall sports on a smaller scale during spring semester; only exceptions are women's tennis and men's golf, who will proceed with a spring sports championship season as they are spring NCAA championship sports
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Previously announced spring sports schedules and championships remain in place, contingency plans in the works; includes softball, lacrosse, outdoor track & field, men's tennis
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Presidents will reconvene in mid-to-late February to determine if changing course is needed for swimming & diving, fall, or spring sports
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ALL student-athletes to receive blanket NCAA Division III waiver; will not be charged with season of participation regardless of number of practices and games
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SUNY Delhi slated to host NAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, NAC West Men's Golf Championships (subject to change)
From SUNY Delhi Athletics Director Bob Backus:
"As disappointing as this decision is for our student-athletes, at this time it was the right call to make and plan for spring sports. We are grateful to work with such a cohesive group like the NAC to come to an agreement in a timely manner and communicate it with our students well in advance prior to the Spring 2021 semester. We may now focus our attention towards conducting a safe outdoor spring sports season with regards to SUNY and NCAA protocols. SUNY Delhi remains committed to the care of every student-athlete, and working with our partner schools on offering the best quality experience possible during these challenging times."
OFFICIAL NORTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE (NAC) STATEMENT
WATERVILLE, Me. (January 11, 2021) - The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Presidents' Council today announced plans for winter sports and a timeline for making final decisions regarding fall and spring sports.
When the Council met in November, presidents offered support for tentative plans to conduct winter sports (men's and women's basketball and swimming & diving) during the spring semester, but opted to wait until January to make a final decision. Due to the state of the pandemic at this time, presidents determined that it is not feasible to conduct a NAC regular or postseason basketball schedule with members spread across three states.
Last fall, the conference developed tentative plans to begin conference basketball games January 29, 2021. That date was then pushed back after several institutions adjusted dates for the start of second semester. A variety of creative schedule options were crafted in the hopes that NAC basketball could safely be conducted. Ultimately, presidents determined the best course of action is to forgo a traditional conference schedule this year while allowing schools autonomy to play games at their own discretion.
The health and safety of student athletes, coaches, staff, and local communities remains a priority. As such, members agreed to adopt common safety practices for competition in addition to adhering to NCAA guidelines, and will prioritize fellow conference schools when developing independent competition schedules.
"We appreciate the hard work done by athletics administrators, athletic trainers, and conference office staff to develop schedule options and safety protocols with respect to contesting a conference basketball season," said Presidents' Council Chair Ray Rice, also the president at UMaine-Presque Isle. "The Council ultimately determined the safest course of action is to allow each school to provide competitive opportunities for student athletes in a way that works best for each campus."
The first official NAC Swimming & Diving Championship has been postponed until next winter. The first-ever NAC swimming & diving event, a virtual invitational, is slated for March 13-14, 2021. The five sponsoring institutions plan to compete either regionally or in their own campus pools and combine results virtually to determine overall event winners and team champions. A traditional three-day championship is planned for February 4-6, 2022.
Presidents previously endorsed plans for playing traditional fall sports on a smaller scale throughout the spring semester, with the understanding that adjustments may be needed. Fall sports in the NAC include men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, and women's tennis. Though men's golf and women's tennis are typically conducted in the fall at the conference level, they are spring NCAA championship sports. As a result, NAC championships are planned for this spring in those two sports.
Previously approved spring sport schedules and championships remain in place while contingency planning is underway in the event adjustments are needed. Spring sports include baseball, softball, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's outdoor track & field, and men's tennis. Presidents will reconvene in mid-to-late February to determine if changing course is needed for swimming & diving, fall, or spring sports.
Eligible student athletes in all sports benefit from a blanket waiver in Division III this year. They will not be charged with a season of participation, regardless of the level of practices or games that do occur throughout the year. Student athletes also have two extra semesters to take advantage of extended eligibility.
