In an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of students and staff, after consultation with conference leadership, the presidents of the State University of New York Athletic Conference have made the difficult decision to cancel winter sports (basketball, ice hockey, indoor track & field, swim & dive). Additionally, SUNY Brockport has canceled winter competition for the non-SUNYAC sports of wrestling and gymnastics.

Despite these changes for Brockport athletics, the campus community continues to recognize the importance of athletics participation to its student-athletes.  Much like the fall sports, administrators and coaches have developed plans to engage student-athletes safely in small-group activity through in-person practices and instruction, strength and conditioning training, leadership training and team building activities.
 
Winter student-athletes will not lose a semester or season of eligibility if they participate in skill and drill sessions during the 2020-2021 academic year.

FAQs on SUNY Brockport Athletics
 
Will there be winter sports?

Teams will be able to practice in small groups to begin with. Winter sports teams will not participate in intercollegiate competition this winter. Winter sport teams include basketball, gymnastics, indoor track & field, wrestling, ice hockey, and swim & dive.
 
When will students know if spring sports competition is happening?

In regard to spring sports, Brockport's Return to Play Task Force, which includes university administrators and team physicians, will continue to meet and plan for the future, including decisions around spring sports competition.
 
What will it be like to participate on a team this winter?

SUNY Brockport will follow the same guidelines implemented for fall teams with an emphasis on team skill and drill development in small pods.  In all sessions, social distancing and face covering protocols will be followed (unless other safety considerations prevail).  Shared equipment will be minimized and sanitized before, after, and at regular intervals during skill and drill sessions.
 
Our athletic training staff will work with coaches and student-athletes to put enhanced personal hygiene and equipment cleaning practices in place.
 
What will the athletic experience be like for the winter season?

Despite the fact that we will not compete against outside teams this winter, teams will be able to practice and compete against each other during the semester.  Coaches will use this time to develop skills, team tactics and small team competitions.

All student-athletes will continue to be provided with workout plans, academic and personal support, and leadership development opportunities by our strength & conditioning staff and coaching staffs. All student-athletes on the active roster will be able to have athletic-related meetings online with coaches. Student-athletes not returning to campus for the semester will not be permitted to participate in individual or small group in-person workouts. All activities will be held in accordance with federal, state, local, and institutional safety guidelines.
 
Will athletic teams who are not competing continue to function as teams? Will they have coaches?

It is expected that coaches will be permitted to engage with their teams and student-athletes. We anticipate the opportunity to participate in individual and small group workouts (per campus, state and NCAA limitations) with members of our coaching staffs.
 
Will there be different rules for contact and non-contact sports?

At this time practice and competition rules will remain the same for all sports including a restriction on physical contact during skill and drill and strength and conditioning sessions. Teams will practice in small groups to begin and progress through various phases that will increase the number of participants and activities.
 
Will team rooms and coaches' offices be available for student-athletes?
  
Team locker rooms will be closed until further notice. All student-athletes will be expected to maintain possession of all their sport related gear and bring them to practice.  Coaches offices will be restricted to occupancy limits and cannot be used as a place to "hang-out" as in the past.

Will athletic training, and strength & conditioning be available?

All rooms within the athletic facilities will be available to students on a small group, limited basis. Appointments may be necessary, and protocols will be implemented. All rooms will have enhanced daily cleaning protocols in place.  As protocols are confirmed, we will email updates and post information on our website at www.gobrockport.com .
 
Will student-athletes need to complete medical clearance paperwork and screening/baseline requirements with Sports Medicine? Have there been any changes to these protocols?

The compliance process for participating in intercollegiate athletics has not changed from previous years.  All students trying out for a team MUST complete all necessary paperwork prior to reporting to the first organized team practice.  Due to limitation on group gatherings, the mandatory NCAA eligibility meeting for all students trying out for a team is now incorporated in the eligibility paperwork.  This paperwork must be completed and returned to your coach at your first meeting.
 
Are there certain medical conditions, in relation to Covid-19, that might preclude me from participating in organized athletic activity?

Yes. As outlined in the NCAA Resocialization of Sport document, specific underlying medical conditions such as moderate to severe asthma, immunocompromised status, severe obesity, diabetes or additional heart, lung, kidney or liver disease have all been identified as conditions that may place an individual into a higher-risk category. It is recommended that individuals with increased risk factors refrain from participation in the early stages of organized athletic activity.  The presence of increased risk factors may require additional documentation from your primary physician, and all final participation clearances are at the discretion of the health care providers at the college.
 
Will teams be allowed to travel off-campus for practice?

No.  All state travel is restricted and must be approved by the VP.
 
If a team does not compete this winter but student-athlete engages in athletically-related activity within the declared playing season, will the student-athlete be charged with a season of participation?

No. A student-athlete is only charged with a season of participation when the student-athlete participates (practices or competes) during or after the first contest in the traditional segment. If the student-athlete's engagement in athletically related activity does not include outside competition, the student-athlete may practice without being charged with a season of participation.
 
Will a leave of absence be necessary to stay on track from an NCAA eligibility perspective?

No. A leave of absence is not necessary. Because Brockport is not competing in the winter of 2020, a student-athlete is not using a season of eligibility. Student-athletes have 10 full-time semesters to complete four seasons of participation in a sport. An NCAA waiver will be considered for any student-athlete who may need to exceed 10 semesters of eligibility as a result of circumstances beyond their control.

If I participate on a team will I be charged with a semester of eligibility?
 
On July 9, 2020, the NCAA approved a recommendation that ALL Division III student-athletes would not be charged with a season of eligibility if their team could not participate in at least 50% of the maximum number of contests/dates of competition during the season.  Or if the student-athlete was unable to participate in their sport during the 2020-2021 academic year as long as the student-athlete was otherwise eligible for competition.

What guidance can be provided regarding general health and safety, fitness, recreation and dining services for the SUNY Brockport campus community?

All SUNY Brockport campus community members are encouraged to visit the Bring Brockport Back website: https://brockport.edu/coronavirus/index.html. The website includes FAQs & Resources by topic.

Where can resources for all Brockport students be found?

Resources for students regarding returning to campus, residential life, academic support, as well as international & study abroad programs can be found under the "Students" section here: https://brockport.edu/coronavirus/index.html

Where can parent resources be found?

Parents & families play an integral role in their students success.  Stay informed & up-to-date about how the College is managing the COVID-19 outbreak, and how they may affect your student here: https://brockport.edu/coronavirus/parents/index.html

Where can faculty & staff resources be found?

Resources regarding returning to work, returning to labs & studios and other instructional resources can be found under the "Faculty & Staff" section at: https://brockport.edu/coronavirus/parents/index.html