Centennial Conference Statement Regarding Fall and Winter Sports

Centennial Conference Statement Regarding Fall and Winter Sports

FAQ Document

LANCASTER, Pa. -- With the health and safety of its student-athletes, campus communities and the general public of paramount importance, the Centennial Conference Presidents Council has decided to cancel conference competition and championships for all fall and winter sports during the 2020-21 academic year. 

Sports impacted by this decision include men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s indoor track and field and wrestling. 

This difficult decision was made following several months of meetings and discussions among all levels of the Conference governance structure. Extensive strategies were evaluated as to how to safely and effectively conduct Conference competitions for fall and winter sports during the spring semester. Ultimately, a number of factors impacted this decision, including the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the country, the shift of spring academic calendars to a later start, campus policies regarding travel, group size and visitors to campus, and the ability to meet recommended NCAA testing guidelines. 

We understand this news is deeply disappointing given how valuable athletics is to the student experience and the educational missions of our member institutions. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to present challenges locally, regionally and nationally, the health and safety of our campuses and surrounding communities must be our top priority. Institutions will continue to find meaningful ways to engage student-athletes in athletic activities.

A decision about the possibility of spring sports competition will next be evaluated in January.