MAC Cancels Spring Athletics Practices and Competitions

On March 16, the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Presidents decided to cancel all spring athletics practices and competition through the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The announcement follows the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) decision on March 12 to cancel all remaining winter and spring championships.

Arcadia is following this decision and canceling all remaining practices and contests for the spring 2020 semester. 

We are heartbroken for the Arcadia student-athletes who have prepared and trained for years to compete at the highest level in their respective sports. We thank all Knights for their dedication and commitment to excellence, and we wish the season’s outcome could have had a different ending for our seniors. We are proud of their resilience during this unprecedented and unfortunate situation. 

Additionally, the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Competition Council voted unanimously Sunday to suspend all competition until April 13, effective immediately. This decision will be monitored and updated as more information is gathered during this period. The Arcadia Esports program is awaiting more information from the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Tespa regarding possible competition suspensions.

Related: MAC Announcement - March 16 | MAC FAQ Document | Arcadia COVID-19

The NCAA Division III Administrative Committee voted to waive all requirements for sports sponsorships for the spring season. It also granted an additional season/semester of eligibility for student-athletes participating in spring sports. 

The following actions, on behalf of the NCAA Division III Management and Presidents Councils, are effective immediately:

• Sport sponsorship and membership requirements. Approved a blanket waiver of any deficiencies in sports sponsorship requirements related to spring sports occurring as a result of actions taken in response to COVID-19. This would not apply to sports sponsorship issues related to fall or winter sports.
• Student-athlete seasons of participation and eligibility. Approved a blanket waiver for all student-athletes participating in spring sports as follows: (a) Waive the use of a season of participation for all student-athletes in spring sports.  If an institution continues or re-starts its season, this relief would still exist; and (b) Waive the use of the spring semester towards their limit of 10 semesters/15 quarters, regardless of whether they used a season.

Any questions, comments, or concerns can be directed to the Arcadia Department of Athletics at 215-572-2955. More information on Arcadia’s response to the coronavirus and daily updates from the University is available at arcadia.edu/coronavirus.