Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference [PSAC] joins the Ivy League and Patriot League in suspending all fall sports in 2020

IUP athletic facilities, Kovalchick Center [basketball] and Miller Stadium [football]
Photo: IUP Athletics

… Commissioner Steve Murray: “It is a painful step we are 
taking, but we feel it is the right one."  

Whether to play or not: This is the dilemma facing colleges and universities across America as it continues to battle a pandemic. 

This week, the PSAC, which has 18 schools playing Div. II sports, announced that it will not field athletic competition in the fall. 

In a release, the conference said that the decision was a painful one for the schools and their student-athletes, but that it was one that was essential for the welfare of the young people, but that it hoped that the schools could return to competition in the spring,

The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference voted on 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 sports competition and championships to the Spring semester and fully intends to do so if a return to competition can be safely executed. 

“PSAC suspends NCAA competition for Fall 2020,” PSAC 
Communications Office, July 15, 2020

The chair of the PSAC board of directors echoed the disappointment but believed that the move to spring athletics will be the best option at this time,

"We are committed to giving our student-athletes the chance to compete during this academic year," adds 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." 

“PSAC suspends NCAA competition for Fall 2020,” PSAC
Communications Office, July 15, 2020

IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll said that he would miss the Crimson Hawks competition this fall,

"This was not an easy decision to make. Athletics adds a great deal to university life and to the life of our community. Our alumni and friends, including our home community, are incredibly supportive of our student-athletes and our athletic program.

I will sincerely miss cheering on our Crimson Hawks this fall, and I am disappointed for our student-athletes who were hoping to be competing this fall. But, this is the right decision to make to keep our students, our coaches, and our prospective spectators safe and healthy."

“Statements from IUP leadership on PSAC’s fall sports decision,” 
IUP Athletics Office, July 15, 2020

Will winter sports play on schedule?

The decisions for fall sports and those for winter and spring are ongoing, PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray said,

The Conference 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. 

"The circumstances we find ourselves in are unprecedented and thus we are taking unprecedented measures," adds 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 January 1 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.

“PSAC suspends NCAA competition for Fall 2020,” 
PSAC Communications Office, July 15, 2020

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