The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced Thursday that it will postpone conference competition and conference tournaments for all fall sports.
The nine-member NCAA Division III conference counts seven Michigan institutions and two Indiana colleges as members. Finlandia University in Hancock is also an affiliate member.
“The member presidents of the MIAA share a strong commitment to cooperation and competition while expressing a range of perspectives reflective of each institution’s mission and judgment about its capacities,” said Dr. Michael Le Roy, president of Calvin University and current chair of the MIAA. “Each day brings new challenges that none of us has faced before and our membership remains committed to continuing our work together with honesty and graciousness as we solve the many problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MIAA has a storied history and a strong commitment to conference competition and we look forward to the future when we can do so together.”
The MIAA will postpone fall conference contests and tournaments until second semester of 2020-2021 academic year.
— #D3MIAA Sports (@MIAA1888)
Adrian College, Calvin University and Trine (Ind.) University are still exploring options to compete in all fall sports that those colleges sponsor. Olivet College is also exploring options to compete in cross country, golf and tennis.
“We recognize the deep disappointment this decision is for our student-athletes, coaches, and parents at schools that will not be competing,” said MIAA Commissioner Penny Allen-Cook in a statement. “While this decision is very disappointing, our first priority is fostering safe and productive learning environments on our campuses.
“We understand these activities will not replace conference competition in the fall, we are hopeful we can compete in the spring when less expensive and more accurate testing, better contact tracing and a possible vaccine for COVID-19 are available.”
The MIAA will release a decision regarding winter sports at a later date.
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