NECC Cancels Reminder of Spring Seasons Due to COVID-19 Concerns

Mansfield, MA – With the safety and well-being of our students and campus communities being of paramount importance and based on the ongoing spread of COVID-19, the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Presidents' Council voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 NECC spring regular season conference schedule and all NECC spring championships, effective immediately.

"The NECC Leadership Committee overwhelmingly supports this important decision for the safety of all student-athletes, coaches and staffs at our institutions," said Bay Path University Director of Athletics and President of the NECC's Athletic Council Steve Smith.

We recognize the disappointment this decision brings to our student-athletes, families, and campuses, but believe this is truly in the best interest of the safety of our students and surrounding communities. The conference had remained hopeful for competition to resume this spring, but due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, we are prioritizing the health and well-being of all of our people at this time.

"This was certainly not an easy decision to make," said Jacob VanRyn, commissioner of the NECC. "I'm truly proud of our conference leadership's collective efforts to explore all options for our spring sports' prior to, ultimately, coming to this very difficult decision. As the events continue to unfold regarding the severity of the spread of the virus, it became clear that the most prudent course of action was unfortunately to cancel the spring season."

The NECC will continue to support its member institutions and student athletes in every way possible as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times together.