South Hadley, Mass. - March 1, 2021 - Mount Holyoke College has decided to not participate in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC)'s continuation of the spring season and championships. The College will focus on exploring opportunities for local competition for its student-athletes.
This decision aligns with our continued commitment to the health and safety of the Mount Holyoke College student-athletes. A decision regarding local competition will be made later in March.
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NEWMAC Presidents Council's Statement on Spring Sports
Courtesy of the conference office.
WESTWOOD, MA -- The NEWMAC Presidents Council has outlined a path forward for Spring Sports. The Presidents continue to hold the safety and well-being of student-athletes and surrounding communities as its primary focus when making decisions around the impact of COVID-19 and the resumption of intercollegiate athletic competition. As part of this decision, the conference will require ongoing testing, universal masking and other modifications to game management standards as part of its health and safety protocols for student-athletes, coaches, officials and game personnel at institutions choosing to participate this spring. These additional precautions exceed the current NCAA guidance for spring sports.
The Presidents Council also recognizes the complexity of the decision to compete and agree that each member has the autonomy to determine whether or not to participate in the 2021 Spring Season based on unique institutional considerations. The Conference supports the decision of each member school to opt out of play altogether or as the season progresses.
Due to the variance of the rate of COVID-19 spread and the different local, state and institutional restrictions, the Presidents have proposed a conference-only schedule among member institutions willing and able to compete. Additionally, institutions should not participate if they pose or face a danger of spreading the virus.
The Presidents Council and conference leadership will continue to monitor state and local guidance regarding COVID-19. Decisions related to all athletics schedules will be subject to the realities of the pandemic as the spring season approaches and after it commences.
This decision impacts the following spring sports: baseball, men's and women's lacrosse, softball, men's and women's tennis and men's and women's track and field.
Fans are encouraged to visit www.newmacsports.com and our members individual athletic websites for the latest schedules and championship information.
