MAC Olympic Sports Delayed

• “Olympic Sports” Will not begin until September 3rd
• Effected Sports (UB Sponsored in bold) : field hockey, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s cross country competition

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced Thursday that with all due caution for the health and well-being of the student-athletes, coaches and others involved, it will postpone the start of field hockey, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s cross country competition until September 3. The decision will provide additional time to prepare for the safe return to competition on an adjusted timeline.

This decision applies to exhibition and non-conference games and will align with the start of football season, allowing all fall competition to begin at the same time.

MAC institutions will continue to follow the guidance of the Conference’s COVID-19 Medical Advisory Panel, Council of Presidents and the NCAA’s Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines as student-athletes prepare to engage in preseason training for a return to competition.

Rescheduling of non-conference contests impacted by the postponed start of the fall seasons will be determined by each member institution.

The MAC and its member institutions will continue to assess the latest developments related to COVID-19 in weighing the potential impact on fall schedules.

STATEMENT FROM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MARK ALNUTT:

The decision to delay the start of the Fall competition season for our Olympic sports is a necessary step in ensuring the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fans.

Our programs have been extremely patient during this time and I want to thank them for understanding that this issue goes beyond college athletics.

As we do at all times, we will continue to have conversations with our campus, state and local officials to make sure we are doing our part to flatten the curve and we will remain in constant communication with the Mid-American Conference and our counterparts nationally.