PSAC Cancels Mandated Winter Sports Competition

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Wednesday announced the cancellation of its mandated winter sports competition, but left a window for member schools to compete at some level this winter. Conference schools, including Lock Haven University, must notify the PSAC of their intentions by “the end of the work day” Wednesday.

There has been no immediate word from Lock Haven University as to the local school’s plans.

The formal PSAC announcement came from conference headquarters in Lock Haven:

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference has announced the cancellation of its mandated regular-season and championship competition for winter sports following a vote of the league’s Board of Directors.

Last week, the Board cancelled PSAC Championship seasons in fall sports, yet allowed for league championship opportunities in those sports should six or more schools elect to participate. All schools electing to play must abide by existing league rules and the NCAA Guidelines that have been set due to the existing Covid-19 Pandemic. The same requirements exist for the winter sports that have been cancelled.

Last week the Board agreed to proceed with the intent to play a full regular and championship season for all spring sports in 2021.

Should member institutions wish to compete in fall and winter sport championship seasons, they are to declare their intent to the conference office by the end of the work day Wednesday, November 18. The PSAC office will review all notifications and make an announcement as soon as possible as to whether there is support to continue with a championship season in any of those sports.

“With careful consideration to health concerns and realistic abilities to conduct sport seasons amid this pandemic, our conference and our membership is forced to make some very difficult decisions,” said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. “With the time we have to continue weighing our options, we are fully committed to playing a spring sports season. We will remain supportive of any other decisions to play sports and host championship events should our membership view it as a safe and reasonable opportunity.”

Fall and winter sports that may be subject to cancellation include: men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, indoor track & field, soccer and swimming, as well as women’s sports in volleyball and field hockey, and men’s sports in football and wrestling. Any cancellation of league schedules or championships does not preclude individual institutions from participating in countable athletically related activities nor exploring competition outside of the previously mandated schedule.