Q: Will there be fall sports?
A: The SUNYAC has made a decision to suspend all fall sports for the coming year. Despite this, we remain committed to providing all of our student-athletes with a meaningful, engaging student-athlete experience. Teams will still be able to practice in small groups. Our coaches are working diligently to plan those sessions and are eager to re-engage with our student-athletes as they return to campus. Teams will not participate in intercollegiate competition this fall, and those teams include cross country, soccer, tennis and volleyball.
Q: Will there be winter sports?
A: The SUNYAC has made a decision to cancel all winter sports for the coming year, in addition to women's ice hockey among its five members that help comprise the NEWHL.
Q: When will students know if spring sports are happening?
A: Plattsburgh State’s Return to Play COVID-19 planning team, which includes administrators, athletic trainers, support staff members and coaches, will continue to meet and plan for the future, including decisions around spring sports. We are also awaiting further guidance from the SUNYAC and the NCAA.
Q: What will it be like to participate on a team this fall and winter?
A: It is expected that coaches will be permitted to engage with their teams and student-athletes. We will utilize the NCAA resocialization of sport guidelines. Workout/practice groups will be limited to 10 people (including coaches), social distancing will be adhered to, masks/face coverings will be worn, equipment will not be shared among players and training sessions will focus on individual skill work and conditioning.
Q: What will the athletic experience be like?
A: Despite the fact that we will not compete against outside teams this fall and winter, coaches will use this time to develop skills and team tactics.
All student-athletes will continue to be provided with workout plans, academic and personal support, and leadership development opportunities by our coaching staffs. All student-athletes on the active roster will be able to have athletic-related meetings online with coaches. Student-athletes not returning to campus for the fall semester will not be permitted to participate in individual or small group in-person workouts. All activities will be held in accordance with federal, state, local, and institutional safety guidelines.
Q: Will there be different rules for contact and non-contact sports?
A: At this time, practice rules will remain the same for all sports, with teams practicing in small groups.
Q: Will team rooms and coaches office be available for student-athletes?
A: Team locker rooms will be closed until further notice. All student-athletes will be expected to maintain possession of all their sport related gear and bring them to practice. Coaches’ offices will be restricted to occupancy limits.
Q: Will athletic training be available?
A: All rooms within the athletic facilities will be available to students on a limited basis. Appointments are necessary, and NCAA resocialization protocols will be implemented. All rooms will have enhanced daily cleaning protocols in place.
Q: Will student-athletes need to complete medical clearance paperwork, screening/baseline requirements with Sports Medicine and NCAA Clearance? Have there been any changes to these protocols?
A: The compliance process for participating in intercollegiate athletics has not changed from previous years. All students trying out for a team MUST complete all necessary paperwork prior to reporting to the first organized team practice. Due to the limitation on group gatherings, the mandatory NCAA eligibility meeting for all students trying out for a team will follow a different format this year and will be communicated to each team by your coach prior to arrival.
Q: Are there certain medical conditions, in relation to COVID-19, that might preclude me from participating in organized athletic activity?
A: Yes. As outlined in the NCAA Resocialization of Sport document, specific underlying medical conditions such as moderate to severe asthma, immunocompromised status, severe obesity, diabetes or additional heart, lung, kidney or liver disease have all been identified as conditions that may place an individual into a higher-risk category. It is recommended that individuals with increased risk factors refrain from participation in organized athletic activity. The presence of increased risk factors may require additional documentation from your primary physician, and all final participation clearances are at the discretion of the health care providers at the college.
Q: Will equipment and laundry be provided to student-athletes as normal?
A: No, essential equipment only will be provided for practice sessions. At this time, laundry will not be provided, and student-athletes are expected to report to practice dressed to play.
Q: If a team does not compete this fall and winter but a student-athlete engages in athletically-related activity within the declared playing season, will the student-athlete be charged with a season of participation?
A: No. As a result of Plattsburgh State not competing against outside competition in fall and winter sports, a student-athlete is not using a season of eligibility. Student-athletes have 10 full-time semesters to complete four seasons of participation in a sport. An NCAA waiver will be considered for any student-athlete who may need to exceed 10 semesters of eligibility as a result of circumstances beyond their control.
Q: What guidance can be provided regarding general health and safety, fitness, recreation and dining services for the SUNY Plattsburgh campus community?
A: All SUNY Plattsburgh campus community members are encouraged to visit the SUNY Plattsburgh COVID-19 website. The website includes FAQs and resources by topic.
https://www.plattsburgh.edu/covid-19/index.html
https://www.plattsburgh.edu/athletics/recreational/fitness-center/index.html
Q: Where can resources for all SUNY Plattsburgh students be found?
A: Resources for students regarding returning to campus, residential life, academic support, as well as international & study abroad programs can be found under the “Students” section here:
https://www.plattsburgh.edu/covid-19/index.html
