UMAC FAQ PAGE | CSS FALL 2020 ATHLETICS FAQ PAGE
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) -- The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) announced on Thursday that the high-risk sports, as determined by the NCAA Sports Science Institute (SSI), of football, men's and women's soccer, and volleyball will not hold conference competitions or championships this fall.
Men's and Women's Golf, which is considered low-risk sports by the NCAA SSI, will proceed this fall against conference competition with the UMAC Championships scheduled as planned for early October. Men's and Women's Cross Country, which are classified as medium-risk sports may also compete this fall against fellow UMAC schools and compete for a UMAC Championship if safety modifications are made.
The conference will explore the possibility of conducting competitions and championships in the spring for those high-risk fall sports. Despite today's modification to the fall sports, the UMAC has given each institution the autonomy to participate in non-conference competition in football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball this fall.
St. Scholastica intends to proceed cautiously in finding outside competition to play a limited schedule in those aforementioned sports, while continuing to work within local, state and federal guidelines and recommendations to ensure the safest possible environment for the student-athletes.
From the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference
Following extensive deliberations and meetings of various UMAC governance groups throughout the past three months assessing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Council of Presidents and Chancellors has voted to modify the timing of conference competition and championships for fall sports classified as high-risk by the NCAA Sports Science Institute (SSI) which includes football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball.
Per directive of the Council of Presidents and Chancellors, the UMAC will pursue opportunities to provide conference competition in the spring for the fall sports of football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball. This could include conference post-season tournaments and championships in the spring for men's and women's soccer and volleyball in addition to other conference competition.
UMAC institutions remain focused on providing meaningful experiences for all student-athletes in the fall of 2020 which could include opportunities for practice, small-group training, skill development, strength and conditioning and leadership programming. Engagement in non-conference competition in the fall for football, men's and women's soccer, and volleyball remains at the discretion of UMAC institutions and will not be governed by the UMAC.
Men's and women's golf – which are classified as low-risk sports – will be permitted to compete this fall, and conference championships will be conducted as planned. Men's and women's cross country are classified as medium-risk sports and may engage in regular season competition and conference championships as planned provided accommodations and modifications can be made by UMAC institutions and the conference to move all regular season and conference championship events to low-risk classification per the adjustments outlined by the NCAA SSI. Competition for golf and cross country will be limited to conference members only per previous decisions put in place by the Council of Presidents and Chancellors.
UMAC conference decisions related to fall sports competition have been guided by state and local public health officials, the NCAA SSI recommendations and campus institutional policies. At the time of the conference discussions and decisions, the NCAA Resocialization of Collegiate Sport recommendations regarding testing for high-risk sports presented significant challenges for some conference institutions to feasibly secure testing and ensure timely results to safely conduct conference fall competition. The health and safety of student-athletes, athletics personnel, and greater campus communities of members of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference is of utmost importance.
The UMAC continues to monitor changing circumstances related to COVID-19. Decisions regarding winter sports including season structures and starting dates will be made at a later date. Any further decisions for 2020-2021 made by conference governance groups will continue to be driven by available guidance from local and state health officials and the NCAA SSI and are subject to change.
Additional information related to the conference's decisions and impact on student-athlete eligibility, other compliance components and further details regarding fall competition can be found on the UMAC Frequently Asked Questions page. UMAC COVID-19 related updates – including institutional announcements and decisions – will continue to be provided when available and can be found on the UMAC COVID-19 Resource Page.
From St. Scholastica Director of Athletics Franco Bari
Today, the UMAC announced the modification of all fall competition while pursuing the prospect of offering conference competition opportunities in the spring. While the news brings much sorrow and disappointment, we will still continue to put our best foot forward to safely and cautiously navigate through the persistent COVID-19 pandemic, while providing our student-athletes with as much opportunity to train and compete this fall. Within these ever-changing limitations, we will continue to commit to our student-athletes experience in sport, in the classroom and beyond. Safety is certainly a high priority and we will take all of the necessary precautions to keep our student-athletes, staff and community safe.
The modification for fall competitions is something none of us desire. While the national scope of fall athletics continues to operate under a cloud, it is clear that athletics plays an integral role in all of our lives. Here at CSS, we are optimistic that there will be a time when our student-athletes will proudly wear our colors without restrictions as our stands fill with supporters. For now, within these new constraints, we are still committed to providing opportunities for our student-athletes so that they have the chance to grow, develop and build relationships.
We are fortunate to lean on a committed group of coaches and staff members who continue spend countless hours behind the scenes with the intent to offer the experience our student-athletes deserve. While this certainly has not been easy on anyone, I'm confident that we will continue to work tirelessly in order to provide our student-athletes meaningful, valuable and tangible experiences during these challenging times. Again, safety is very much a priority for us and we will continue to cautiously create a competitive learning environment while closely monitoring and following Minnesota a Department of Health, CDC and NCAA guidelines. I remain hopeful that our fall student-athletes will be able to enjoy the comradery of their teammates and I'm confident in the experience that our coaches and staff will continue to provide our student-athletes in a safe environment for all involved.
