HCAC Makes Decision to Postpone All Fall Sport Conference Competition

Vote to postpone fall sports was unanimous.

After receiving and reviewing the latest information and guidance from the NCAA Division III leadership concerning the return to sport for fall, the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Council of Presidents voted unanimously to postpone all conference related contest and competitions slated for fall 2020.

The HCAC previously made the decision to delay the start of competitive seasons for those sports classified by the NCAA as high risk sports (football, men's and women's soccer, and women's volleyball) to the spring. The latest vote also postpones competition for those sports the NCAA classified as medium and low contact risk (women's golf, women's tennis and men's and women's cross country). 

The Council of Presidents felt that member institutions have made every reasonable effort to conduct safe competitions this fall, meeting the resocialization expectations of the NCAA. Given the recent statement from the Division III leadership, the Council voted to suspend conference related competition until January 1, 2021. They also affirmed that each member institution will retain the individual institutional autonomy to conduct athletic related activities as they see fit.

The HCAC remains committed to offering engaging athletic experiences for student athletes in all its sports with extensive team activities this fall followed by spring competitive seasons.

The winter sports of basketball (defined as high contact risk sport by the NCAA) and swimming and diving (classified as a low contact risk sport by the NCAA) will not hold competition prior to January, 2021.

The Heartland Conference will continue to explore all options for a safe return to intercollegiate athletics. The league's leadership will communicate further developments regarding competition in 2020-21 as solutions are finalized and implemented. The priority of the HCAC and its Council of Presidents continues to be a commitment to the health and safety of everyone in our campus communities and those involved in intercollegiate athletics at member institutions.

-Courtesy of Hanover College Athletics-