- Dale Duff Reporting ([email protected])
Add Husson University and Maine Maritime Academy to the list of Maine colleges to cancel fall sports because of Covid-19 issues.
The list includes UMaine in Orono, the University of Southern Maine, Colby, Bowdoin and Bates.
Here the Husson official announcement…
BANGOR, Maine – Due to continuing health and safety concerns brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic, Husson University has come to the difficult decision that they will not be engaging in any athletic competition during the Fall 2020 semester.
Husson University President Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA, states, “I’m a strong supporter and fan of the Husson Eagles. The action we have taken today carefully considers the challenges associate with keeping our athletes safe. Our priority is the health and well-being of all of our students, staff, and faculty.”
There will be an opportunity for Husson student-athletes to practice in the fall on campus. There is also a possibility that competition scheduled to take place in the fall could be rescheduled to occur in the Spring.
This decision was not one that was taken lightly. A considerable amount of deliberation led up to this decision by Husson administration, since the safety and well-being of the students, staff, faculty, and campus community is the University’s highest priority. Plans for resuming competition for winter and spring sports will be evaluated based on public health guidance at a later date.
“Our staff and I are deeply saddened that we will not be able to participate in athletic competition this fall,” shares Director of Athletics Frank Pergolizzi . “The decision is based entirely upon the need to protect the health and welfare of each and every one of our student-athletes. I’m confident that it’s the right decision. We wish all of our student-athletes the very best for this coming academic year!”
In Castine, officials at Maine Maritime Academy came to the same decision. The two schools play in different conferences in football but do play sports such as soccer, volleyball and golf as members of the North Atlantic Conference.
Here’s the MMA press release…
CASTINE, Maine – Dr. William J. Brennan, President of Maine Maritime Academy (MMA), announced today that the Mariners will not compete in intercollegiate athletics during the Fall 2020 semester. The decision to cancel competition was made after undertaking considerable discussions among staff and in consultation with the Mariners’ team physician and partners in the North Atlantic (NAC) and the New England Men’s and Women’s Athletic Conferences (NEWMAC). Athletic-associated travel and competition presented a serious enough risk to the Academy’s ability to deliver its core educational mission to warrant cancellation.
“As with all of the decisions we are making as we plan for the upcoming semester, we are following public health guidance and putting the health and well-being of the MMA community first,” said President Brennan. “We will miss the fall athletics season immensely, as it is central to our community experience. However, our student-athletes will have the support they need to practice and train while adhering to safety guidelines and best practices.”
The announcement applies to the Fall 2020 semester only. Plans for athletics during the Spring Semester will be similarly evaluated based on public health guidance and staff and partner input.
“I am tremendously saddened and disappointed that we have arrived at this place, but we made the right decision as an institution based on sound medical advice and in the interest of protecting the primary mission of the Academy,” said Athletics Director, Steve Peed. “We will work hard to provide quality growth opportunities for our athletes on campus this fall and keep our eyes on developments that may allow all of our athletes to practice and compete in the Spring 2021 semester.”
