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Edison State to Cancel Indoor Sports for Spring Semester
After consulting with college and local health experts, Edison State
Community College is suspending its participation in NJCAA-sanctioned
indoor sports for the 2020-2021 season. Intercollegiate competition for
women’s and men’s basketball and women’s volleyball will be deferred to
next year. Inter-squad competition and team practices will continue in
the spring of 2021 for these programs.
The factors influencing this decision were concerns over the
unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming months and
the impact this has on the College’s ability to ensure the athletes’
safety, the reduced number of other colleges with active athletics
programs remaining, and the reliance on limited indoor spaces for these
athletes.
Edison State President Dr. Doreen Larson states, “Edison State has
successfully provided a safe practice environment for our indoor
athletes, and we are confident that we can continue that environment in
the spring of 2021. We cannot assure that same level of safety for our
athletes or athletes from other programs if we introduce
intercollegiate competition.”
Edison State Athletics Director Nate Cole commented, “This action to
suspend 2020-21 indoor sports seasons until next fall, affecting men’s
and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball, is a tough call for all
coaches and athletes. This was a difficult decision because athletics
are a vital part of recruitment and student success initiatives at
Edison State.”
“Scholarship commitments to new or returning indoor sport
student-athletes will be honored in 2020-21, and no student-athlete
will be charged a season on eligibility. We will also continue to
recruit new student-athletes for the 2021-22 seasons. As with
everything we do, the decision to suspend athletics was made with the
health and safety of our athletes, coaches, and our entire campus in
mind. The college remains committed to helping its student-athletes
achieve their academic goals. Edison State will work with each
student-athlete to address specific needs for the upcoming academic
year,” said Cole.
Dr. Larson continues, “We deeply miss engaging with students at our
campuses and, in particular, we miss the joy and energy that our
athletes bring to the culture at Edison State. We look forward to the
healthy and robust competition that our future holds. However, painful
in the short term, we know that we are making the best choice possible
for our student-athletes and their families.”
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