NE10 SUSPENDS CONFERENCE-SPONSORED COMPETITION FOR FALL SEMESTER
Decision Impacts Fall and Winter Sports Competition
NE10 Press Release – July 16, 2020
The Council of Presidents of the Northeast-10 Conference voted unanimously on Thursday, July 16, to suspend all NE10-sponsored competition and championships through December 31 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NE10 considers the health and safety of its student-athletes, coaches, administrators, staff and wider campus communities to be of paramount importance. Despite each institutions' planning over the past few months and the Conference's collective efforts to forge a path forward, it has become clear that we are not able to conduct outside competition at this time in a manner that is consistent with the prioritization of our campus' collective well-being.
The NE10 and its member institutions are striving to ensure a meaningful regular season and conference championship experience for its fall sport student-athletes during the Spring 2021 semester, as long as a return to competition can be safely executed. Initial plans for spring competition fall sports will be provided at a later date.
The NE10 will also endeavor to provide a regular season schedule and/or conference championship experience for its winter sport student-athletes during the spring 2021 semester, with the intention of aligning with appropriate NCAA selection criteria and dates, as long as a return to competition can be safely executed.
To best support a meaningful but safe student-athlete experience during the fall semester, team activities, practice and training opportunities will be determined and defined by each member institution and shall adhere to NCAA policies and state public health regulations.
NE10 institutions are unanimously committed to honoring athletics aid agreements that have been issued to student-athletes for 2020-21 in accordance to the terms and conditions laid out in those agreements.
Council of Presidents Statement
"The Northeast-10 Conference Council of Presidents is united in its commitment to supporting local and state efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. Campus resocialization guidelines – including restrictions on student and staff travel, social distancing requirements and limits on group gatherings, are being undertaken so that campuses can support in-person engagement and education. Aiding our member campuses in their reopening efforts is critical and while athletics is an integral part of campus life, nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our NE10 community, including our student-athletes, staff and our towns and cities. As such, we have made the difficult decision that intercollegiate athletics competition has been suspended through December 31. We will strive to create meaningful competitive opportunities for our fall sports during the 2020-21 academic year, if it is deemed safe. We do not take this decision lightly and understand its impact. Our campus communities will do everything we can to support the well-being of our student-athletes this fall as we navigate these uncertain times together."
NE10 Council of Presidents
Christine Riordan, Adelphi University
Vince Maniaci, American International College
Francesco Cesareo, Assumption University
Paul Condrin, Bentley University
Kim Mooney, Franklin Pierce University
Linda LeMura, Le Moyne College
Steve Kaplan, University of New Haven
Marvin Krislov, Pace University
Joe Favazza, Saint Anselm College
Lorraine Sterritt, Saint Michael's College
Marcia White, The College of Saint Rose
Joe Bertolino, Southern Connecticut State University
Wil Zemp, Southern New Hampshire University
John Denning, Stonehill College
Student-athletes will follow local campus policies regarding return to campus and in-person learning.
"Even though we are disappointed by the fact that we won't be able to engage in competition this Fall, we fully understand, agree and support this difficult decision. Protecting and preserving the health, safety and well being of our student-athletes, staff and campus community will always be at the forefront of what we do. As a department, our commitment to provide our student-athletes with leadership and growth opportunities through athletic participation will not change. We are excited for the 2020-21 academic year, the experiences we will share and the continued advancement of the pride and tradition that being part of the Le Moyne Dolphin athletic family brings."
- Tim Fenton, Interim Athletic Director
Le Moyne College Department of Athletics Question & Answer Guide
1. Will there be intercollegiate competition for Fall sports in Fall 2020?
Due to health and safety concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no outside competition this Fall 2020 semester for NE10 Conference institutions. Le Moyne College's Fall sports teams include: Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Golf, Men's and Women's Soccer, Volleyball and Women's Tennis.
2. Will there be intercollegiate competition for Winter and Spring Sports?
At this time, all non-championship competition is suspended for the Fall semester. Le Moyne College's Fall non-championship segment teams include: Baseball, Men's and Women's Lacrosse, Softball and Men's Tennis. There will be no intercollegiate competition for Winter sports until January as decided by the NE10 Conference. Intercollegiate competition for Spring sports in the Spring 2021 semester has not been impacted by this decision. Winter and Spring sport student-athletes will follow the phases as outlined in Le Moyne's Re-socialization of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation plan for athletics participation in Fall 2020.
3. Will Fall sports have the opportunity to compete during the Spring 2021 semester?
At this time, no decision has been made regarding an alternative playing season in Spring 2021. The NE10 remains committed to providing championship opportunities for each of its 24 sponsored sports during the 2020-21 athletic year. The league will look at the feasibility of rescheduling affected fall and winter sports to the spring semester. Initial plans for spring competition will be provided at a later date.
4. Will Fall sport student-athletes return early?
No, fall sport student-athletes will return to campus with the general student population on dates defined by the College. First-year residential students will arrive between Aug. 13 and 15, and upperclassmen will return between Aug. 28 and 31. **Pending final approval by the State of New York
Le Moyne College Re-Opening Plan
5. How will practicing/no intercollegiate competition impact Fall sport student-athletes' NCAA eligibility?
Due to no competition this Fall, student-athletes will not be charged a season of competition in the Fall of 2020. Student-athletes who are enrolled full-time will still use a semester within the permissible 10 semesters allowed by the NCAA. However, an extension waiver filed with the NCAA will be considered for any student-athlete who may need to exceed the permissible 10 semesters of eligibility due to circumstances beyond their control. If the NE10 Conference moves the Fall Sport Championship Segment to the Spring semester and outside competition occurs, fall student-athletes will be charged a season of competition for the 20-21 academic year.
6. Will my athletic scholarship be impacted if there is no intercollegiate competition or if I choose not to participate or limit my participation due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns?
Non-participation and/or limited participation due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19 will not negatively impact a student-athlete's athletic financial aid or good standing with the team. Every student-athlete will be afforded the opportunity to make informed decisions and will be protected regardless of those decisions. The Department of Athletics and its staff members will work diligently to address and mitigate concerns related to athletic participation raised by our student-athletes.
7. What will the athletic experience be like for the Fall semester?
Le Moyne College and its Department of Athletics is committed to providing the best experience possible given the circumstances to our student-athletes with a focus on academic success, personal well-being, leadership development, internship/service opportunities and athletic participation in some capacity. Student-athletes will continue to be engaged by their coaching staff and by the department and will have access to academic support and leadership programming through our Inside The L culture and athletically related activities such as: workout plans by our strength & conditioning staff/coaching staffs, athletically-related meetings online as organized by the coaching staff and small group team activities as outlined in the phases of Le Moyne's Re-Socialization of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Plan. However, the extent of participation will be dictated by the prevalence of COVID-19 within the Campus and surrounding community.
8. Will there be intercollegiate competition for Winter and Spring Sports?
At this time, there will be no intercollegiate competition for Winter sports until January as decided by the NE10 Conference. Intercollegiate competition for Spring championship segment sports in the Spring 2021 semester has not been impacted by this decision. Winter and Spring sport student-athletes will follow the phases as outlined in Le Moyne's Re-socialization of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation plan for athletics participation in Fall 2020.
9. How will this impact access and resources provided by Sports Medicine?
Sports Medicine services will be provided during the Fall semester. Infection control protocols will be in place.
10. Will there be access to the intercollegiate athletics weight room?
The intercollegiate athletic weight room will remain closed for the duration of the fall semester. The Strength and Conditioning staff will continue to design and supervise workout routines.
11. Will there be access to team locker rooms?
Locker rooms will be closed until further notice. Student-athletes should plan on changing into practice or competition apparel in their residence, and plan to shower post athletic activity in their residence.
More information regarding student-athlete eligibility and compliance can be found here:
NE10 Student-Athlete FAQ
