Arcadia Athletics March 12 Update to COVID-19

By Laura A. Baldwin | March 15, 2020
The Arcadia University Department of Athletics and Arcadia leadership have been monitoring the COVID-19 virus closely and making adjustments to University activities and events accordingly. This is a difficult and challenging time. As always, the health and safety of our student-athletes is a top priority.

The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) released a mandate on March 12 determining it is in the best interest of campus communities conference-wide to suspend all athletic competition from Monday, March 16 through Monday, March 30.

  • The suspension covers all on- and off-campus conference and non-conference contests, including spring break travel for Arcadia.
  • Arcadia Athletics will suspend practice and training sessions for all sports during this time (March 16-30).
  • Arcadia’s intramural and recreation programming also will be suspended pending further clarification on the intercollegiate sports landscape.
  • The MAC is actively monitoring the situation and will make reassessments over the two-week suspension period to determine if further action is warranted.

Arcadia Athletics, in accordance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) COVID-19 Advisory Panel, recommends against sporting events open to the public. Arcadia believes athletic events can take place with only essential personnel and limited family attendance, and this protects the players, employees, and fans. This restriction will go into effect immediately and be in place until further guidance is provided.

  • The March 12 home softball doubleheader against Misericordia will be played as scheduled. 
  • The March 13 home baseball contest with Stevenson and March 14 doubleheader at Stevenson are both postponed.

In response to the developments regarding the coronavirus outbreak, Arcadia announced on March 11 that the duration of online course delivery will be extended to April 5, and any possible extension to that date will be announced no later than March 31. Additionally, residence halls will close by March 15 at 5 p.m. until April 5, pending an extension by the University.

“This is a very difficult and challenging time given the spread of the pandemic worldwide,” Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Granata remarked. “The health and safety of our student-athletes has and will remain a top priority for us. We will continue to follow the guidance of local, state, and federal government officials and agencies as well as the NCAA, MAC, and related athletics organizations. We fully recognize the impact that this decision has on our student-athletes and their families, especially given the timing. It is our hope that we can resume some form of a spring sports season in the future.”

We will continue to follow the guidance of local, state, and federal government officials and agencies as well as the NCAA, MAC, and related athletics organizations. We fully recognize the impact that this decision has on our student-athletes and their families, especially given the timing. It is our hope that we can resume some form of spring sports season in the future.

Questions about the MAC’s response not addressed in the FAQ document provided above can be directed to questions@gomacsports.com.