General | 7/22/2020 5:00:00 PM
LINK TO FULL LIBERTY LEAGUE STATEMENT
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – In a unanimous vote of the league's Presidents Council, the Liberty League announced the cancellation of all conference competition and championships through Dec. 31, 2020 due to the ongoing health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"While this is a difficult decision for RIT and our league partners, in our hearts we know it is the right thing to do," said Executive Director of Athletics Lou Spiotti, Jr. "In light of this news, we are committed to providing our student-athletes an opportunity to stay engaged with our coaches and staff as well as their teammates in a meaningful way with the understanding their health and safety is our top priority. I applaud the league for doing what is right, even though it meant sacrificing an entire half of a year of competition. We look forward to the time when we can return to a semblance of normalcy."
RIT intends to move forward with on-campus training, conditioning, practices and team gatherings within the department to the fullest extent allowable under local safety protocols and NCAA regulations throughout the fall semester.
"We all have been eagerly anticipating the return of our student-athletes to the field of competition. But this decision is the right thing for player and community safety," said RIT President David Munson. "Our administration remains committed to providing our student-athletes the highest-level academic experience as well as a safe environment where they will be able to continue their growth as individuals and as teams."
Over the past several months, member institutions have been developing plans for a safe reopening of campuses this fall, including a possible resumption of intercollegiate athletics with the safety and well-being of students and campus communities as the top priority. While the Liberty League previously outlined a plan focused primarily on league competition, the league members have continued to monitor and evaluate guidance provided by the NCAA as well as other national, state and local health and safety guidelines. The members understood that the league may need to change course as the pandemic evolved.
"With institutions and conferences, both regionally and nationally, making the difficult decision to cancel fall competition, our announcement to cancel Liberty League competition and championships will likely not come as a surprise," said Liberty League Commissioner Tracy King. "Nevertheless, I understand the deep disappointment that many of our student-athletes, who have trained and prepared for competition, will feel with this decision. Moving forward, our members will continue to work together to provide meaningful athletic opportunities to support our student-athletes."
Spiotti added, "We will work with the Liberty League to focus on what the spring semester will look like for all our Division III teams. Conversations are also ongoing with Atlantic Hockey and College Hockey America, respectively, regarding the 2020-21 season for our Division I men's and women's hockey programs "
