The Middle Atlantic Conference, of which Widener University is a member, announced this morning it is suspending all fall intercollegiate athletic competition through the fall 2020 semester.
 
While this decision is disappointing to our athletes, Pride student-athletes will continue to be engaged and continue to have athletics as part of their collegiate experience. Coaches are working to develop small-group and virtual activities for athletes that will follow guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health, and as permitted by the NCAA resocialization guidelines.
 
The MAC is hopeful that its member institutions will be able to return to a vibrant athletic schedule in the spring -- one that may include competition for fall-sport teams, insofar as possible. Schedules and opponents would be announced at a later date, if that play is deemed possible.
 
The NCAA has provided an eligibility waiver for student-athletes who do not play greater than 50 percent of the contest/date limit in their sport in 2020-21. This is being done in the same spirit as the benefit to spring-sport student-athletes who received eligibility relief when their seasons were cut short by the virus last semester.
 
Under the MAC announcement, the conference hopes to begin winter athletics competition in 2021.
 
"It is terribly disappointing to think about the fall season without intercollegiate competition. I will miss it, personally, and I understand how dismayed our athletes and coaches feel.  They work hard to represent the Pride, and the fans who get so much enjoyment from watching them compete are saddened, as well," said Widener President Julie E. Wollman, who has served on the MAC board since 2016 and its executive committee since 2017. "The health and safety of all Widener students, including our athletes, is our top priority. We will be more than ready to root for the Pride when the conference is able to resume competition."