POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Following today's Council of Presidents meeting, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has decided to cancel fall sports competition due to continuing health and safety concerns surrounding the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Marist's sports affected by this decision are women's and men's soccer, women's and men's cross country, and volleyball. The decision made to cancel fall sports is consistent with several leagues, notably the Ivy League and the Patriot League.
The Marist football program competes in the Pioneer Football League (PFL), which is one of just two conferences that sponsors football as its only sport. Marist will not play non-league football games this fall, as the Red Foxes' contests against Georgetown, Cornell, and Dartmouth have been canceled. PFL presidents and athletic directors are holding regular meetings to determine the viability of the 2020 season. Consistent with Marist's fall sports, it is presumed that the Red Foxes' football season may be postponed barring significant improvements related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A decision regarding Marist's football season is expected within the next few weeks.
A decision on whether fall sport competition would be feasible in the spring will be determined by the presidents at a later date. In a release from the MAAC, Commissioner Rich Ensor stated that the MAAC Executive Committee will explore with the Committee on Athletic Administration the goal of providing the student-athletes with a conference schedule in the spring of 2021 in accordance with institutional procedures and state regulations.
When returning to campus, Marist student-athletes will be permitted to train. However, formal team practices will not be allowed. Marist will be responsible for implementing training guidelines in accordance with state and local COVID-19 regulations and guidance provided by the NCAA in its Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: Developing Standards for Practice and Competition including testing protocols. The safety and well-being of Marist student-athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic is the College's top priority, and there will be no exceptions for athletes from the College's protocol.
Marist vows to honor all athletic and academic scholarships for fall student-athletes. The MAAC Council of Presidents has pledged full advocacy on behalf of our student-athletes to work with the NCAA in the pursuit of any waivers that preserve lost opportunities because of these COVID-19 disruptions.
Decisions regarding winter and spring sports will be determined in the upcoming months by health professionals and state officials.
Quotes
Marist President Dr. Dennis J. Murray
This is extremely disappointing, but it's the right decision. We'll continue to monitor local and state guidelines to ensure that our student-athletes are kept safe and healthy.
Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray
I am deeply disappointed that the decision to cancel fall sports competition had to be made. I understand the substantial impact this will have not only on our student-athletes in fall sports, but the entire student-athlete body here at Marist and across the country. However, our student-athletes' health and safety was the catalyst in this decision, and will continue to be at the forefront of our operations moving forward. As is always the case, Marist Athletics will support our student-athletes through this challenging time in their athletic and academic pursuits.
MAAC Council of Presidents
The MAAC Council of Presidents and the Committee on Athletic Administration recognizes the disappointment that will undoubtedly be felt by student-athletes, fans, and supporters impacted by the cancellation of fall sports competition. It was clear during this process that the MAAC membership must focus its review on appropriate measures to ensure the health, safety and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and the campus community which is the primary responsibility of its member institutions.
MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor
The decision to cancel fall sports was made with student-athletes being top of mind. It is difficult to put into words how I feel for all of the student athletes, coaches, and administrators who put in so much work on a daily basis. Health and safety protocols have been of the utmost priority the last several months, but unfortunately, there are too many factors that prohibit the MAAC and its institutions from safely delivering a competitive atmosphere that these individuals deserve.
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Council of Presidents
Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University (MAAC President)
Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D., Monmouth University (MAAC Vice President)
John J. Hurley, Canisius College
Mark R. Nemec, Ph.D., Fairfield University
Seamus Carey, Ph.D., Iona College
Brennan O'Donnell, Ph.D., Manhattan College
Dennis J. Murray, Ph.D., Marist College
Judy D. Olian, Ph.D., Quinnipiac University
Gregory G. Dell'Omo, Ph.D., Rider University
Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., Saint Peter's University
Christopher P. Gibson '86, Ph.D., Siena College
