LHU Issues School Response to PSAC Fall Sports Shutdown
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Board of Directors voted on Tuesday, July 14, to suspend all mandated conference athletic events and championships through the end of the 2020 fall semester in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The PSAC has already undertaken a full review of its ability to shift fall sports seasons and championships to the spring semester and fully intends to do so if conditions related to the pandemic allow.
With the announcement from the PSAC, no LHU athletic team will compete during the 2020 fall semester or for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year, regardless of NCAA Division or conference affiliation.
All fall and winter sports scheduled to begin before January 1 are impacted by this decision. The PSAC and LHU will evaluate the necessary schedule changes and will communicate its plans for moving all competitions to the spring semester at a later date.
With guidance from the PSAC, each institution, including Lock Haven University, will develop guidelines for all teams to continue individual skill instruction as well as strength and conditioning activities under social distancing protocols by the end of the summer. The determination as to when winter and spring sports may begin workouts and practices will be considered at a later date.
To date, no official announcement has been made from the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) and Mid-American Conference (MAC) regarding plans for athletics this fall and beyond, however LHU has made the decision to not compete as an affiliate member in those respective conferences during the 2020 fall semester. Lock Haven’s NCAA Division I field hockey program competes as an affiliate member in the Atlantic 10 and the Division I men’s wrestling team is an affiliate member of the MAC.
Statement from Dr. Robert Pignatello, LHU President:
“Not being able to compete in fall sports is a major disappointment for all of us, but this decision was made in the name of health and safety,” Pignatello said. “We are operating at a heightened level of awareness to reduce and mitigate risk in order to support a safe and successful fall semester. In order to best protect the entire community many sacrifices unfortunately must be made. Athletics are a big part of our identity, but right now close physical contact must be minimized.”
“We are looking forward to developing ways to provide for safe and healthy conditioning and fitness activities for our student-athletes in lieu of actual competition and contact, and for our coaches and athletic staff to continue the great work they do mentoring them,” Pignatello added.
Statement from Dr. Tom Gioglio, LHU Director of Athletics
“As with all the decisions that have been made related to COVID-19, administrators and staff spent endless hours considering all possible scenarios that would protect the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and community,” Gioglio said. “The decision to postpone all sport competitions was taken very seriously and was based on teams not having the ability to compete without breaking from strict social distancing and safety guidelines set forth by the Office of the Governor, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Procedures and after processing public health information that prioritizes the health and safety of the entire Lock Haven community.”
“I realize how disappointing this news is for The Haven Family, especially our senior student-athletes, however contracting this virus from participating in high-risk sport activities would be irresponsible, detrimental and does not support our mission to provide all student-athletes with a safe, positive, inclusive learning environment,” Gioglio added. “Please be assured I know how important athletics is to our over 450 student athletes, our loyal fans, campus and community and feel very confident that the coaches and I will develop meaningful and creative ways to engage during the fall semester, while preparing for a very active event filled spring.”
