The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced on Wednesday morning that sporting events will not be held during the fall semester due to COVID-19 concerns.
PSAC commissioner Steve Murray said in a press release, “[I]t has become apparent that the safe conduct of sports under the guidelines of social distancing is untenable for our members. We cannot place our student athletes at greater risk than the general body. Despite our planning and collective efforts it has become clear we are unable to do so.”
While this news may be upsetting for many students, PSAC and all 18 universities in the conference are working to develop a schedule that fits fall sports, such as football, field hockey and volleyball for next spring’s semester.
Bloomsburg University President Dr. Bashar Hanna also released a statement regarding fall sports on Wednesday saying, “The Presidents within the PSAC have made an extremely difficult decision that is in the best interest of all student-athletes, given these challenging times. At Bloomsburg University, the health and safety of our entire community remains our number one priority. We very much value our student-athletes’ contributions to our overall campus environment.”
Dr. Hanna also said that he shares the disappointment of Bloomsburg’s student-athletes, but looks forward to cheering them on in the future.
This of course isn’t the first modification to college sports, as Ivy League schools are suspended for the fall as well. Other conferences like the Big Ten, which includes schools like Penn State and Ohio State, have decided to only play teams within their own conference for the duration of the season.
