The Northeast-10 Conference announced Tuesday that its Council of Presidents voted to cancel formal regular-season competitions and championships for the winter season.
The decision affects seven sports, including men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s basketball, indoor track & field and men’s hockey. However, member schools can pursue winter competition outside of league confines, the Council allowing, “each NE10 member institution shall retain the autonomy to determine if it will engage in independent athletic contests this winter.”
Tuesday’s announcement is a continuation of suspending fall sports in the Northeast-10. Each school will be able to determine the extent to which practices, training and contests can be determined, in accordance with public health conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in their areas.
The Council of Presidents and the entire NE10 community continue to work extensively in its prioritization of health and safety in its decision-making process in determining a return to competition. The Conference remains committed to supporting a return to play for NE10 competition in its 10 spring sports, whose 2020 seasons were cancelled at the outset of the pandemic. No decision has yet been made regarding the resumption of fall sports. A determination will be made in January.
The Northeast-10 comprises 14 Division II schools in the New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The league has eight schools sponsoring women’s swimming and seven for men’s.
The women’s Northeast-10 championship last year was won by Southern Connecticut State, while Bentley won the men’s championship for a second straight year.
“I know this decision is disappointing to the student-athletes and coaches who work so hard to represent our university,” Bentley Athletics Director Vaughn Williams said in a university release. “I am inspired every day by the perseverance and commitment our student-athletes have shown during the pandemic and look forward to the day they can compete again.”
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Enough already
This conference should reference Div 1, 2 and 3 teams that are having these athletes compete in a safe and responsible manner, following protocol for competition during the current environment.