BROCKPORT, NY -- The Empire 8 Conference has announced that, after careful review and for the safety of all, fall competition has been postponed. SUNY Brockport's nationally-ranked football program is an affiliate member of the Empire 8 Conference and will not participate in competition this fall. 

Despite these changes for the Brockport football program this fall, the campus community recognizes the importance of athletics participation to its student-athletes.  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. All students on campus will also have access to recreational and wellness opportunities, and the fitness facilities will be available in accordance with all New York State guidelines and campus protocols.
 
"While this won't be the fall any of us envisioned, I'm very much looking forward to getting our team back on campus so that we can resume our preparations to compete for championships once it is safe to do so," said Brockport Head Football Coach Jason Mangone.

Brockport's other fall sports (cross country, field hockey, soccer, tennis, volleyball), which compete in the SUNYAC Conference, await official announcement from the league about the status of the fall 2020 season. Brockport remains in continued conversation with SUNYAC Conference partners regarding the 2020-2021 athletic seasons.
 
"The health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes is always our top priority and it's a valued pillar of our decision making process in these extremely difficult times," said Brockport Athletic Director Erick Hart. "The Brockport community and our football student-athletes were really looking forward to returning to Empire 8 Conference competition this fall and our disappointment cannot be understated. We look forward to defending our Empire 8 championship in the near future."

Division III student-athletes will not be charged with participation for the 2020-21 season if their team can complete only 50% or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Division III Administrative Committee approved a recommendation from the Division III Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement to provide a blanket waiver in all sports that are unable to reach the 50% threshold, providing student-athletes with the option of extending their participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be fall sports?

As of July 15, 2020 the Empire 8 Conference has suspended fall competition, which means Brockport football will not compete in intercollegiate competition this fall. Brockport's other fall sports (cross country, field hockey, soccer, tennis, volleyball), which compete in the SUNYAC Conference, await official announcement from the league about the status of the Fall 2020 season. More information will be released as it becomes available. 

What will it be like to participate on the football team this fall?

We will utilize the NCAA resocialization of sport guidelines, which call for a three-phased return to sports activity. In Phase I, workout/practice groups will be limited to 10 people (including coaches), social distancing will be adhered to, masks/face coverings will be worn when distancing cannot be maintained, equipment will not be shared among players, and training sessions will focus on individual skill work and conditioning. In Phase II, workout/practice groups may increase in size, distancing will be adhered to, equipment may be shared among team members, and training sessions will include organized group activities. Masks/face coverings will be worn based upon current state and college guidelines when distancing cannot be maintained. Phase III allows for larger groups, shared use of equipment, organized group activities and competition. Our athletic training staff will work with coaches and student-athletes to put enhanced personal hygiene and equipment cleaning practices in place. Small group and individual meetings will take place online or outdoors during Phase I and II. Meetings will comply with campus guidelines when indoor meetings begin during Phase III.

Despite the fact that Brockport football will not compete against outside teams this fall, we 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.

Brockport football 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 fall 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 Brockport football student-athletes return early to begin pre-season?

No, Brockport football student-athletes will arrive on campus with the general student body.

Will team rooms and coaches' offices be available for student-athletes?
 
Team locker rooms will be closed until further notice.  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.

What should I do with any uniform or apparel issued from the Athletic Department equipment room if I am not returning to campus in the fall?

We ask that you reach out to your coach to notify them of the equipment you have, and plans will be made to help you get it back to campus.

If a team does not compete this fall but the 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 football is not competing in the fall 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.

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 further 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