December 1, 2020

Centenary University is planning to modify its winter sport season

The Athletics Department will follow the resocialization guidelines set forth by the NCAA and CSAC on the health and safety measures needed to return to play.

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, Nov. 30, 2020—Over the past several months, a dedicated team at Centenary University has been planning for the return of our cyclones for the spring semester. This multidisciplinary group represents every aspect of the operations of this University, from administration and faculty, to health services, student life, athletics, food service, security, and more. Our goal has been the safe return of our students to campus for the spring semester, including winter sports.

The Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Board of Directors also continues to work diligently to monitor the rapidly-evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its campus communities, specifically in relation to formulating a viable path forward for formal intercollegiate athletic competition during the spring semester.

Today, Adrienne J. Mullikin, Commissioner of the Colonial States Athletic Conference, stated that due to the travel restrictions imposed by most states and the sharply rising rate of infection across our region, the CSAC and the Board of Directors have agreed that winter sports will not resume at least through the month of January. While no formal schedules have been adopted at this time, the Board does intend to resume intercollegiate competition during the spring semester and has advised the conference office to incorporate all available data into developing appropriate schedules for each conference-sponsored sport as allowable.

The Board is committed to providing a safe environment for competition and as such has agreed that all of its member institutions shall adhere to the recommendations outlined by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Sport Science Institute related to testing and social distancing at athletic competitions. The Board and conference office staff shall continue to review interstate restrictions on travel as well as the trends related to infection rates within the conference geographic footprint prior to committing to the resumption of competition.

Due to the unpredictable disruptions related to COVID-19, the CSAC and the Board of Directors recognize that plans for returning to competition shall be dictated by local, state and federal guidelines, recommendations or mandates and are subject to change at any time.

Centenary is planning to modify its winter sport season as a result. The Athletics Department will follow the resocialization guidelines set forth by NCAA and CSAC on the health and safety measures needed to return to play include ng: daily screening of student-athletes, coaches, and staff, sanitization of equipment, virtual meetings wherever possible, travel accommodations including face coverings and social distancing.

Classes for the spring semester will begin on campus on Monday, January 18. Competitions will commence when it is deemed safe by these two entities, as well as the governor of New Jersey.

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township. The Centenary University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in Parsippany, as well as online and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.