SUNYAC developing plan for spring sports

01/26/2021 

State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras has requested that the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) develop a plan, to be considered by the member schools’ presidents, to resume spring intercollegiate athletic competition safely.

These plans will be expected to meet the guidance provided by the NCAA, the New York State Department of Health, local and regional authorities and the SUNY system. They will also consider the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic on the campuses during the early weeks of the semester.

“While there are no guarantees that we’re playing, we’re taking this as cautiously optimistic news and we’re excited to get going toward playing a spring season,” said Cortland Director of Athletics Mike Urtz '94, M '00.

The SUNYAC’s spring sports include baseball, softball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field and women’s tennis. Cortland also offers women’s golf, which competes in the Northeast Women’s Golf Conference, during the spring. Planning for non-SUNYAC spring sports will be led by campus athletic directors and presidents. Cortland is one of 10 full-time SUNYAC member schools along with Brockport, Buffalo State, Fredonia, Geneseo, New Paltz, Oneonta, Oswego, Plattsburgh and Potsdam.

SUNY Cortland is scheduled to begin its spring semester classes on Feb. 1. Cortland’s 2020-21 fall and winter athletic seasons were canceled due to the pandemic, as were all spring athletic events last year after March 11.