Winter Athletics FAQs

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - After much consideration and discussion with Liberty League colleagues, Union College has announced that basketball, indoor track & field and swimming & diving will not participate in intercollegiate competition during the 2020-21 winter season. This follows the decision of the Liberty League Presidents Council to cancel conference play and championships for winter sports, which was announced earlier today.

"As we have seen the number of COVID-19 cases rise both in the region and across the country, this was a very unfortunate and difficult decision that we had to make," said Director of Athletics Jim McLaughlin '93. "The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and entire community continue to remain our top priority as we look to maintain the positive steps our campus community has taken so far this year."

Union's winter teams have been working out with their coaches this fall, engaging in small group activity with strict safety guidelines in place. Teams will continue working with their coaches during the winter term after student-athletes return from break to provide an engaging, on-campus experience. Union Athletics will continue to monitor health trends on campus and abide by state and local guidance in order to provide safe and engaging programming for our student-athletes.

In addition, the Union College campus community will continue to have access to recreation and wellness opportunities on campus, along with many of the College's fitness facilities, in accordance with New York State and College guidelines.

No decision has yet been made regarding Union's ice hockey programs, with Union continuing to work closely with its ECAC Hockey peers to arrive at a decision regarding league play. The ECAC hopes to have more clarity on the 2020-21 men's and women's ice hockey seasons by mid-November.

The Department of Athletics also will work with the Liberty League and peer institutions in regards to spring sport seasons, with decisions on those sports to come during the winter term.