Announcement on Fall Sports Competition
The Colonial States Athletic Conference Board of Directors has announced today that the conference shall suspend all intercollegiate competition for the Fall 2020 season. A final decision on the possibility of future intercollegiate competition for fall sports, including the possibility of conducting fall intercollegiate competition in Spring 2021, as well as a plan for intercollegiate competition for winter sports, will be made by the end of September.
The CSAC Board of Directors and other administrative groups have worked tirelessly in collaboration with the conference office staff over the past weeks and months to develop multiple potential scenarios for intercollegiate competition in the fall while being mindful of health and safety guidelines from the NCAA, each member's campus reopening plans and the landscape of college athletics. This difficult decision was made with careful deliberation and strategic assessment of the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The conference and its administration will continue to explore safe training and intra-campus practice opportunities for its member institutions while continuing to be mindful of the rapidly-changing local, regional and national conditions.
"The Colonial States Athletic Conference's decision aligns with our institution's commitment to ensure the health and safety of our campus community," said Director of Athletics Gretchen LeVan. "The decision to suspend fall competition was not an easy one, however, we are optimistic that you as resilient student-athletes will gain much from practice, strength and conditioning, and intersquad scrimmage opportunities our coaches will provide for you."
Fall 2020 Frequently Asked Questions – Department of Athletics
When will student-athletes arrive on campus?
Student-athletes will arrive on campus at the same time as the general student population, prior to the start of classes on August 24. Read more on Valley Forge's plan for the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year.
When will Student-Athlete Orientation be conducted?
Student-Athlete Orientation will be conducted on Sunday, August 23rd from 6-9 pm in Capeci Library.
Will winter and spring sports compete this year?
No announcement has been made about winter and spring sports at this time. The Colonial States Athletic Conference and Presidents Council will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and make determinations on future schedules later this fall.
Will there be any practices during the fall semester?
While intercollegiate competition has been suspended for the fall, varsity sports will be permitted to engage in athletic activity. Student-athletes will be allowed to interact with teammates and coaches, while adhering to the NCAA's Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Sport and recommended guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local governments.
UVF coaches will be in contact with their individual teams soon to highlight how they will safely engage in athletic activities this fall.
How will teams practice and meet safely?
The safety and well-being of student-athletes is of the utmost importance. A committee of administration, medical personnel, staff, student-athletes and coaches has been assembled to create a response plan to ensure the health of our student-athletes, while also allowing for safe engagement with their teams and coaches. All decisions will be based on guidelines and recommendations from federal, state, and local government agencies as well as the NCAA. The interaction will be incremental and in the early phases consist of socially distanced strength and conditioning exercises plus instruction by the coaches.
The Core Principles of Resocialization of Collegiate Sport created by the NCAA calls for a three-phased system in returning to athletic activities. In Phase One, physical distancing and wearing face masks will continue to be a requirement, and gatherings of 10 or more people should be avoided. Indoor practices will only be held if proper distancing and sanitation protocols can be implemented. Training will focus on individual skills and conditioning. Meetings between players and staff should be conducted virtually whenever possible. Many of these same guidelines will remain in effect for Phase Two, with more flexibility given to group size and engagement. Groups of 50 or more people should be avoided unless precautionary measures of physical distancing and sanitization are in place. Training sessions will be more geared toward group activities. In Phase Three, most teams will be able to meet collectively to engage in organized group activities. There will be more flexibility in the use of facilities and equipment.
Will the athletic training room be open?
Access to the athletic training room will be restricted. Student-athletes seeking treatment from the athletic trainer will need to schedule an appointment. The athletic trainer will continue to provide direct and personal care to student-athletes in accordance with health and safety guidelines. Physical distancing, face coverings, and hand-washing requirements will be strictly enforced. Close contact services such as taping will be limited and brace wearing will be encouraged as a suitable alternative.
Do student-athletes still need to fill out paperwork from the NCAA and complete physicals?
Yes. All paperwork relating to athletic activity must be completed to ensure proper record-keeping within the institution and the NCAA.
Here is the step-by-step protocol for all student-athletes to be cleared to participate:
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Create an NCAA Profile (new athletes only) and send full name and NCAA ID # to Teelah Grimes at t_grimes@valleyforge.edu
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Complete and submit a Sports Physical (A new requirement this year is all student-athletes will be required to have a new sports physical completed)
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Complete the ATS Portal Setup (New freshmen/transfer students – setup; returners – update forms)
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Complete all NCAA compliance forms (Student-athletes will receive a link to the forms soon)
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Attend Student-Athlete Orientation
Will I lose a season of eligibility if I practice but do not play in the spring?
No, on Wednesday, July 9, the NCAA Division III Administrative Committee approved a blanket waiver for participation for the entire 2020-21 season. Division III student-athletes will not be charged with participation for the 2020-21 season if their team can complete only 50% or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The committee noted that schools may be forced to shorten athletics seasons due to health and safety concerns, as well as related administrative concerns. Amending the criteria for a season-of-participation waiver would ensure student-athletes have four meaningful seasons of participation opportunities. The proactive blanket waiver allows student-athletes to make informed enrollment decisions prior to the academic year.
The full NCAA Division III Administrative Committee blanket waiver approval notice is available here.
