General | 9/25/2020 8:03:00 AM

ROCHESTER, NY – Games may have been canceled for the fall season because of the outbreak of COVID-19, but that doesn't mean the Tigers cannot sharpen their claws. Based on safety guidelines set forth from the state of New York, RIT and the RIT athletics department, teams have resumed activities.
 
In July, the Liberty League's Presidents Council announced the cancellation of all conference competition and championships through Dec. 31. From that point, the RIT Athletic Department worked tirelessly with many groups on campus to prepare for the resumption of activities.

Fall (men and women's soccer, men and women's cross country, women's volleyball) and spring (men and women's lacrosse, baseball, softball, men and women's tennis, and men and women's crew) athletic teams entered phase 1 of the return to play plan on Sept. 14. After two weeks, with evaluation and no setbacks, teams will be allowed to advance to phase 2. 

Phase 1 consists of three (10-12 student-athletes/staff allowed per group), one-hour training sessions that focus on skill development. Bill Garno, the head men's soccer coach stated, "We are focused on technical work and conditioning in Phase 1, while Phase 2 provides us the opportunity to add more tactical training."

Starting Monday, Sept. 28, teams who completed phase 1, may begin Phase 2, which consists of four, 1.5-hour training sessions that still focus on skill development. Once Phase 2 is initiated, 15-20 student-athletes and coaching staff may gather per group. 
 
NCAA is allowing for 114 days to be used towards practice and competition or athletically related activity. Fall and Spring teams are allowed to practice up until Thanksgiving break, which begins Nov. 19 at RIT.
 
Normally at this time of year, the fall sports season is well underway with many teams looking toward the start of Liberty League competition. One of the many challenge's coaches face in 2020 is keeping their players focused and motivated in these uncertain times.
 
"What do our players need right now as members of our team?" asks RIT women's soccer head coach Liz Masterson. "We hope training and the support of a team is the outlet and escape they may need from all that weighs on them right now. And, we have a lot of time to build an incredibly strong foundation for the future. So, we are starting from the beginning, building good habits, and learning foundational pieces of our game model."
 
Coaches are utilizing this time to build skill development as well as team chemistry. "We would like to build/maintain our excellent team chemistry," said women's volleyball head coach Jim Lodes. "The newcomers are still trying to be comfortable and see how they will fit. They will also look to improve their skills once we are allowed to begin further volleyball specific training. Eventually, we'd like to also introduce/reinforce team systems and philosophies as the whole group becomes their version of RIT Volleyball."
 
Winter sports begin Phase 1 on October 1, and will follow the same parameters as the fall and spring sports. Please stay tuned to www.ritathletics.com for news schedule updates for the winter and spring seasons.