Covid Impacts on Upcoming Season

[southsidejet]

I'm interested in whether the NCAA will grant players waivers if the 2020 season is cut short, assuming it happens at all.  In Division 3, a player uses a year of eligibility if he participates in one official practice for that year.   The NCAA could get in front of the issue. That would help programs and athletes decide what to do when it's time to make a decision.

NCAA Division 3 Committee Approves Blanket Waiver:

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/diii-administrative-committee-approves-blanket-waivers-participation

Good news for a lot of players.

So, what is considered the 'maximum' number of contests for D3 men's soccer (and is this number different in 2020-21 vs prior seasons)? Would this number also include conference & NCAA tournament games?

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The maximum number of games hasn't changed in a number of years. It counts the regular season and one game for all conference tournament games (if a conference tournament is three, it is one "game"; if a conference doesn't have a tournament, the team can use that one as another game). NCAA tournament play does not count at all.

The maximum will not change even in a year like now. The maximum doesn't have a role in this case. The minimum is far more important to make sure a sport counts towards membership guidelines and to help schools that might lose a lot of games out of their control.

[NEPAFAN]

1. Intercollegiate Athletics: The Presidents of the Landmark Conference unanimously agree that a return to athletic competition in the fall of 2020 is the intent of each respective member institution but only if it can be done safely.
a) Each member institution will continue to work within local and state health guidelines, along with guidance from national organizations such as the CDC, the American College Health Association (ACHA), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), as they finalize their reopening plans.
b)The Landmark Conference's primary focus for the fall of 2020 will be competition among conference members; we plan to culminate with a conference postseason tournament.
c) Specific details regarding scheduling, the postseason, and other policies will come later this summer.
d)The Conference is also cognizant of the importance of its spectator policy to parents, alumni, and fans. We will make an announcement regarding a conference-wide spectator policy by Monday, August 3.

[Buck O.]

'Deis is out.

https://www.brandeisjudges.com/information/covid19/Fall2020Announcement

[Buck O.]

The maximum doesn't have a role in this case.

The press release says:  "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."

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The maximum doesn't have a role in this case.

The press release says:  "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."

Because the minimums for all sports were basically reduced to half of the maximum. In basketball, for example, it is down to 12 - it was 15 or 16 I think? The max is 25. So half. That is why the wording because each sport has a different number.

[Ron Boerger]

The SCAC is the latest conference to call off Fall sports competition, with a nod to possible rescheduling in the Spring should conditions permit.   https://scacsports.com/news/covid19_update3

[southsidejet]

The maximum doesn't have a role in this case.

The press release says:  "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."

Because the minimums for all sports were basically reduced to half of the maximum. In basketball, for example, it is down to 12 - it was 15 or 16 I think? The max is 25. So half. That is why the wording because each sport has a different number.

This is important to identify because of the wording of the waiver. If 25 is the official max, a team can theoretically play 12 games combined and still not have it count as a 'spent' season for the players, correct? That could be a full conference schedule, conference tournament, plus an NCAA tournament game... seems high. I'm looking at the OAC who still plans on playing conference games at this point.

[PaulNewman]

https://www.mascac.com/news/2019-20_News/Fall_Sports_Statement

[jknezek]

The maximum doesn't have a role in this case.

The press release says:  "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."

Because the minimums for all sports were basically reduced to half of the maximum. In basketball, for example, it is down to 12 - it was 15 or 16 I think? The max is 25. So half. That is why the wording because each sport has a different number.

This is important to identify because of the wording of the waiver. If 25 is the official max, a team can theoretically play 12 games combined and still not have it count as a 'spent' season for the players, correct? That could be a full conference schedule, conference tournament, plus an NCAA tournament game... seems high. I'm looking at the OAC who still plans on playing conference games at this point.

The way the snowball is going it's not going to matter. Even if some schools still play, the NCAA can save a ton of money just by bagging the tournament. A bastardized tournament that includes maybe half of the teams? It's an easy justification and an easy cut. If your conference wants to play, that's all good, but will it really make sense to fly a pile of teams around for a half legitimate tournament?

I know they haven't announced any of that, but logically it makes no sense to have the risk or, maybe most important to the NCAA and D3, spend the money. Conference champions? Hang your banner. That's all you are likely to get. And every conference and school announcement brings the likely result closer.

[southsidejet]

The maximum doesn't have a role in this case.

The press release says:  "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."

Because the minimums for all sports were basically reduced to half of the maximum. In basketball, for example, it is down to 12 - it was 15 or 16 I think? The max is 25. So half. That is why the wording because each sport has a different number.

This is important to identify because of the wording of the waiver. If 25 is the official max, a team can theoretically play 12 games combined and still not have it count as a 'spent' season for the players, correct? That could be a full conference schedule, conference tournament, plus an NCAA tournament game... seems high. I'm looking at the OAC who still plans on playing conference games at this point.

The way the snowball is going it's not going to matter. Even if some schools still play, the NCAA can save a ton of money just by bagging the tournament. A bastardized tournament that includes maybe half of the teams? It's an easy justification and an easy cut. If your conference wants to play, that's all good, but will it really make sense to fly a pile of teams around for a half legitimate tournament?

I know they haven't announced any of that, but logically it makes no sense to have the risk or, maybe most important to the NCAA and D3, spend the money. Conference champions? Hang your banner. That's all you are likely to get. And every conference and school announcement brings the likely result closer.

The question revolves around just how many games could be played before a year of eligibility is burned up, nothing to do with the NCAA tournament being played or not (unless that adds more games obviously). The whole thing can be bagged obviously, but we're not there yet.

[Hopkins92]

And there goes my national championship....

With the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, especially among young people, we cannot continue to plan for a return to competitive athletics this fall. Intercollegiate athletics competition will be canceled for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year. This is the right decision for the well-being of our entire Kenyon community. We appreciate your patience throughout this process, and we understand that for our student-athletes in particular, this news may be especially hard to take.

Please understand that athletics remains an important aspect of the Kenyon student experience. For now, however, it will have a different look. The Department of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation is committed to making that experience look and feel as meaningful as possible. Your coaches and staff are here to support you, and will be focused on establishing an environment that allows for our teams to reconvene in creative and purposeful ways. They will use this time to learn and grow in ways that build our community in sport and beyond.

At this time we do not yet know what lies ahead for our winter and spring sports seasons at Kenyon, and regret that there is continued uncertainty amid rapidly changing circumstances. We expect to have better data and information in the fall.

Without a vaccine, it's just irresponsible to play sports in the Fall.

These kids can't bubble up like MLS*, NBA and other PROFESSIONAL leagues that are attempting to come back in the middle of a global pandemic.

We're putting coaches and other staff LIVES at risk so guys and gals can kick a ball around in meaningless competitions#? C'mon.

* - And they had to send two teams home and postpone another match last week.

# - As has been exhaustively detailed on this thread, there aren't nearly enough schools playing to have any kind of "meaningful" season. Teams that decide to take this significant risk are going to be involved in a glorified Spring exhibition season.

[PaulNewman]

And there goes my national championship....

With the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, especially among young people, we cannot continue to plan for a return to competitive athletics this fall. Intercollegiate athletics competition will be canceled for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year. This is the right decision for the well-being of our entire Kenyon community. We appreciate your patience throughout this process, and we understand that for our student-athletes in particular, this news may be especially hard to take.

Please understand that athletics remains an important aspect of the Kenyon student experience. For now, however, it will have a different look. The Department of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation is committed to making that experience look and feel as meaningful as possible. Your coaches and staff are here to support you, and will be focused on establishing an environment that allows for our teams to reconvene in creative and purposeful ways. They will use this time to learn and grow in ways that build our community in sport and beyond.

At this time we do not yet know what lies ahead for our winter and spring sports seasons at Kenyon, and regret that there is continued uncertainty amid rapidly changing circumstances. We expect to have better data and information in the fall.

Without a vaccine, it's just irresponsible to play sports in the Fall.

These kids can't bubble up like MLS*, NBA and other PROFESSIONAL leagues that are attempting to come back in the middle of a global pandemic.

We're putting coaches and other staff LIVES at risk so guys and gals can kick a ball around in meaningless competitions#? C'mon.

* - And they had to send two teams home and postpone another match last week.

# - As has been exhaustively detailed on this thread, there aren't nearly enough schools playing to have any kind of "meaningful" season. Teams that decide to take this significant risk are going to be involved in a glorified Spring exhibition season.

All this seemed pretty obvious to me at least a few weeks ago, but some/many disagree.  It is going to be harder and harder for administrators not to ask themselves "What are we doing here?"  We have blown through the endowment argument with some of the latest additions to the "not playing" list.  IMO, the most we could see is what is in the fine print of those NESCACs that hedged their statements ever so slightly....if the Fall ends up going better than expected then MAYBE a school can have 3-4 local scrimmages.  Eligibility looks safe.

[Ron Boerger]

The SAA has also cancelled fall sports.  https://www.saa-sports.com/general/2019-20/releases/20200716slnbjk

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The maximum doesn't have a role in this case.

The press release says:  "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."

Because the minimums for all sports were basically reduced to half of the maximum. In basketball, for example, it is down to 12 - it was 15 or 16 I think? The max is 25. So half. That is why the wording because each sport has a different number.

This is important to identify because of the wording of the waiver. If 25 is the official max, a team can theoretically play 12 games combined and still not have it count as a 'spent' season for the players, correct? That could be a full conference schedule, conference tournament, plus an NCAA tournament game... seems high. I'm looking at the OAC who still plans on playing conference games at this point.

12 is the minimum for DIII basketball. Hit that number and by the rules currently in place the year of eligibility will be used up. Again, as things stand now.

We have to remember we are in uncharted territory. The Division(s) is trying to handle things as best as possible with nothing to work from. They have been trying to keep things open and easy for schools and conferences to make their own decisions. No point in taking away the tournaments now when we are four months removed from said tournaments with far more understanding of something unknown than we did in March (which was also two months out from spring championship tournaments).

Things will probably change ... tomorrow or Monday or Friday or ... whenever. There are just too many things we don't know despite everything we have learned since March.

What I really fear is schools and conferences trying to wedge the fall into the spring. It sucks to lose the fall sports, but spring was already lost and trying to wedge fall into spring especially for institutions where resources are tight to begin with is going to be ... insane.