NORFOLK, Va., July 16, 2020 – The Council of Presidents
and Chancellors of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announces
that the league will suspend all sports competition, championship and
non-championship segments, for the 2020 fall season, as a result of the
continuing COVID-19 pandemic. A decision is yet to be made on whether
fall sports schedules will be moved to the 2021 spring semester.
The conference currently plans to proceed with winter sports
competitions as scheduled, unless health and medical professionals
advise otherwise. We will apprise the public on further decisions.
The Council of Presidents and Chancellors took this action out of a
concern for the safety as well as the physical and mental health of our
student-athletes, coaches, administrators, support staff, faculty and
fans. The rapid escalation of COVID-19 cases along the eastern seaboard
heavily influenced the council’s decision as the data suggests that the
African American and other minority communities are being
disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The MEAC is committed to
ensuring that the correct measures are in place to reduce exposure to
the virus.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes continue to be our number
one priority. We have made the decision to suspend all sports
competitions after careful review of the current conditions and
consideration of the potential exposure that regular travel to
competitions may cause and ongoing extensive physical contact,”
said Howard University President and Chair of MEAC Council of Presidents
and Chancellors, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick. “While our competitions
have been suspended, each member institution will plan ongoing
engagement of all student-athletes to ensure optimization of their
physical and mental well-being as they continue their matriculation.”
“Obviously this is an arduous decision because everyone wants to have a
fall season for student-athletes, fans and others,” said MEAC
Commissioner Dr. Dennis Thomas. “Part of our responsibility is to ensure
the mental and physical health and safety of our student-athletes,
coaches, and staff is paramount. It is imperative that everyone
recognize that is our first and foremost responsibility.”
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