The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC), with whom SUNY Morrisville holds associate membership in the sports of field hockey and men’s ice hockey, issued a statement Monday evening, suspending fall sports competition.
In addition, the SUNYAC Presidents, in consultation with the SUNYAC Board of Directors, delayed winter conference and non-conference schedules until Jan. 1, 2021.
Keeping health and safety concerns at the forefront of the decision, the SUNYAC will continue to explore all options for a safe return to intercollegiate athletics for its member institutions.
“While certainly disappointing news for our student-athletes, we stand by and agree with the SUNYAC decision to put the health and safety of our students and campus community above all else,” said SUNY Morrisville President David Rogers.
“We understand and support the decision made to suspend fall competition within the SUNYAC,” said Interim Athletic Director Todd Kleinhans. “We are hoping that as we continue to put the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and campus community at the forefront of our decision making, that we will be in a position to put forward a meaningful and successful season of competition for our student-athletes as time progresses.”
The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) and Empire 8 league offices announced late last week the postponement of fall competition.
“We will continue to put every effort forward to explore alternative avenues in which we can engage and collaborate with our student-athletes and our entire student population during this extraordinary time, with the health, safety and well-being of all our students and campus community leading our decision making,” Rogers said.
The full statement from the SUNYAC office can be found on the league’s website.