ROCHESTER, N.Y. – As NCAA Division III athletic conferences and institutions around the country continue to postpone intercollegiate competition for this Fall, the United College Hockey Conference (UCHC) has also announced changes to its competition schedule for the 2020-21 season.
The UCHC Presidents Council has decided that, due to the current evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, conference competition will be postponed until January 1, 2021, provided it is safe to resume play at that time.
“Institutions will have the ability to enrich the student-athlete experience by conducting athletic related activities based on campus protocols and guidance from local health authorities at their discretion.” This also means that member institutions will still have the ability, based on their own campus regulations and limitations, to compete in non-conference contests until then. Additionally, should the pandemic exhibit positive progressions, the UCHC will revisit the resumption of conference play prior to January 1.
See below for the full statement from the UCHC:
The United Collegiate Hockey Conference has announced changes to its competition timeline for the 2020-2021 academic year.
The United Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Presidents Council has been closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability to safely compete this fall. The health of the conference’s student-athletes, coaches, officials and staff are of the utmost importance. At this time, given the current magnitude and evolution of the pandemic, the President’s Council voted unanimously to postpone conference competition until January 1, 2021 provided it is safe to resume at that time.
Institutions will have the ability to enrich the student-athlete experience by conducting athletic related activities based on campus protocols and guidance from local health authorities at their discretion. Members may participate in non-conference competition should they deem it safe to do so. Should there be significant positive developments which may permit safe competition prior to January 1st, the UCHC council will reconvene to discuss resumption of conference play. The UCHC is in the process of modifying schedules to accommodate this decision and provide a meaningful conference experience for our student-athletes in the Winter of 2021.
UCHC Presidents Council
John Loyack, Alvernia University
David Finegold, Chatham University
Chuck Lindsay, Elmira College
Jack Ryan, King’s College
James MacLaren, Lebanon Valley College
Michael Geisler, Manhattanville College
Beth Paul, Nazareth College
Chris Domes, Neumann University
Elliot Hirshman, Stevenson University & UCHC President
Laura Casamento, Utica College
Greg Cant, Wilkes University
Joyce Jacobsen, William Smith College
