In response to ongoing health and safety concerns, the members of the State University of New York Athletic Conference will suspend fall sports competition. In addition, the winter conference and non-conference schedules will be delayed until January 1, 2021.

The decision was made by the SUNYAC Presidents in consultation with the SUNYAC Board of Directors on Monday, July 20. The SUNYAC Board of Directors is composed of the 10 directors of athletics from each member institution

Despite these changes for Brockport athletics 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.
 
"The decision to suspend fall sports was made with the safety and well-being of our student-athletes and campus community top of mind," said SUNY Brockport President Heidi Macpherson. "Sports, like our fine arts performances, are part of the fabric of college life, and I know how disappointing this must be to our players, coaches, staff, and our fans. But we will get through this, and I look forward to the day when we can again cheer for our Golden Eagles."
 
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.

FAQs on SUNY Brockport Athletics
 
Will there be fall sports?

Teams will be able to practice in small groups to begin with. Fall sports teams will not participate in intercollegiate competition this fall. Fall sport teams include football, cross country, soccer, field hockey, tennis, and volleyball.
 
Will fall sport athletes return early to begin pre-season?

No, athletes will arrive on campus with other students.
 
When will students know if winter and spring sports are happening?

SUNYAC winter sport conference and non-conference schedules have been delayed until January 1, 2021. Winter sports include basketball, ice hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, track & field and swim & dive. 

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.
 
What will it be like to participate on a 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, which we may not fully enter during the fall semester, 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.
 
What will the athletic experience be like for the fall semester?

Despite the fact that we will not compete against outside teams this fall, 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 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 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 fall sports be moved to the spring season?

Brockport is committed to providing all fall student-athletes with a meaningful conference regular season and championship tournament experience in the spring of 2021 provided it is safe to do so.  The Empire 8 and SUNYAC are currently developing models and conference schedules to prepare for a successful experience. The health and wellness of our athletes and our campus communities will continue to be a top priority as we finalize those plans.

Will spring sports have the opportunity to engage in their non-traditional seasons?

The decision regarding non-traditional seasons has yet to be determined, but the goal is to provide those programs (baseball, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, softball) the opportunity to do so. In the event the non-traditional seasons are allowed, all Institute guidelines will be followed, including no competition. The department has instituted a COVID-19 Action Team which will assess the feasibility.

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. Teams will practice in small groups to begin and progress through various phases that will increase the number of participants and activities.
 
Will athletic spaces, such as fields, and courts be available for student use?

Spaces will be reopened in line with state guidelines, starting with outdoor spaces and followed by the largest indoor spaces, then smaller more equipment heavy rooms and lastly locker rooms. Not all athletic spaces will be operational when you first return to campus, and for many of these spaces there will be new protocols to follow, such as scheduling based use, cleaning requirements and capacity limitations. The most up to date information regarding wellness facilities can be found at https://www.brockport.edu/coronavirus/wellness_and_recreation/facilities.html
 
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 outdoor facilities/spaces/fields be "open" for student-led workouts and optional practices?

We are required to follow college and state guidelines for gathering, including social distancing, group size, and limitations on contact sports. For groups who want to recreate under these guidelines, the athletic department will assist in scheduling these spaces when possible. Supervision may be required at any such gathering.
 
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.
 
Will teams be allowed to travel off-campus for practice?

Not at this time, but we are continuing to explore options that would facilitate this.
 
If a team does not compete this fall 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 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.

If I participate on a team and the season is interrupted or suspended due to the COVID19 pandemic 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