COVID-19 Elmira College Athletics Update
ELMIRA, N.Y. — Due to concerns with the ever-evolving nature of coronavirus (COVID-19), and with the recent cancellation of NCAA winter and spring championships, Elmira College Athletics has decided to cancel all athletic competitions for the remainder of the 2019-20 season effective immediately.
This weekend’s NCAA Quarterfinal game between Elmira College and Adrian College has been canceled, per the statement from NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors.
“Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.”
Elmira’s primary conference, the Empire 8 Conference, also released a statement regarding the cancellation of E8 regular season and conference tournament competition.
“The Empire 8 has been closely monitoring the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the impact on our member institutions and communities,” said Empire 8 Conference Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “This is indeed a unique time in our country and across the sporting landscape. As a result, the Empire 8 Presidents Council has unanimously voted to take unprecedented measures and cancel all Empire 8 regular season and conference tournament athletic competition.
“Individual Empire 8 institutions have the autonomy to make decisions about their athletics programs ability to continue athletic related activities as defined by the NCAA as well as non-conference competition. The Empire 8 intends to advocate the NCAA to allow spring student-athletes to retain this lost season of eligibility.”
Although there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Elmira at this time, we are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, parents, fans, and local community.
