LHU Spring Sports Canceled as PSAC Suspends Athletic Competition
LOCK HAVEN – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Board of Directors voted unanimously on Friday to suspend all athletic competition through the end of the academic year in response to concerns about the global coronavirus pandemic. As a result, LHU will not compete in any sport for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. The word came after Thursday the NCAA announced that it was cancelling all remaining winter and spring championships.
Statement for LHU President Robert Pignatello:
“The PSAC made the right call in response to this still growing health crisis,” Pignatello. “We are all united on the same team to fight and defeat a much bigger opponent – COVID-19.”
Statement from LHU Direct of Athletics Dr. Tom Gioglio:
“Although heart breaking and extremely disappointing for our student-athletes, the decision made to cancel all athletic activities at LHU along with other actions already being taken to contain the spread of the virus is the right decision,” Gioglio said. “The student-athletes continue to amaze me by demonstrating the truest expression of teamwork and ultimate sacrifice for the safety of the team and our society. I want to give special thanks to our seniors, your performances have made us proud and you will always be part of Lock Haven’s legacy.”
Full PSAC Release:
In light of the latest news regarding COVID-19, the PSAC has announced that all athletic competition for the remainder of the Spring Semester is suspended, effective immediately.
In addition, all countable related athletic activities (CARA) are suspended until March 30 at which time the Board of Directors will review a proposal from the Athletics Administrators to permit or suspend CARA for the remainder of the semester.
Any non-conference competitions already travelled to are left to the institutional discretion through March 15, at which time all athletic competition must cease.
Spring semester sports are suspended for the remainder of the season. CARA is suspended until March 30.
NCAA Statement:
On Thursday NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.
