The Liberty League Presidents Council announced the cancellation of conference play and championships for winter sports on November 9. Member institutions will continue to emphasize the health and safety of our campus communities as we all deal with the challenges posed by this pandemic. It was important for us to let Union student-athletes understand what the winter term will look like so that they can make their travel and other winter-term plans.

Union’s basketball, indoor track & field, and swimming & diving teams will all continue to work out with their teams under coach supervision. These teams will be training, practicing, working with strength and conditioning coaches, and engaging in team-building activities on campus during the winter term. 

In addition, other offerings will be available to the Union College campus community, including wellness and recreation opportunities and access to most athletic facilities, following New York State, campus and local health guidance.

Winter student-athletes will return to campus along with the general student population either on January 4-6 (international students and students using college-provided quarantine space) or January 7-9.

The NCAA is providing a blanket waiver for a season of participation and term(s) of eligibility. Winter sports student-athletes will not use a season of eligibility in the 2020-21 academic year, similar to 2020 spring- and fall-sport student-athletes.

Union continues to work closely with other institutions in ECAC Hockey to arrive at decisions regarding league and championship play. ECAC Hockey hopes to have more clarity about the 2020-21 season by mid-November. 

Union’s Department of Athletics will continue to monitor the evolving pandemic and make decisions regarding the 2021 spring sports season closer to the start of that season. 

Students selecting in-person engagement for the term, whether their classes are in-person or online, are allowed to participate physically with their teams and coaching staff. Adherence to campus safety and testing protocols are paramount to this participation. Student-athletes selecting a remote mode of engagement will be communicating with their teammates and coaches virtually throughout the term. 

As in the fall term, club sport athletes will be able to practice with their teams under the supervision of a designated college official. These activities will continue to be held on campus with safety precautions in place.