The USCAA Board of Directors met this week to discuss the ongoing pandemic and the effect on spring sports. We are grateful to each of you who took time to complete the USCAA survey on spring sports. The summary of results is listed below this email.
For the sports of golf, baseball, and softball, the association is seeing positive signs that many campuses are returning to play this season. The USCAA remains committed to planning a National Championship with normal rankings and selections processes this season. In order to do so, we need the support of members to return to play and commit to the event under proper safety restrictions. As a reminder, all members are able to return to play as long as they abide by local, state, and federal guidelines.
We have advised the Board that the national office is recommending that participation in the Small College World Series and Golf National Championships require a negative COVID test 48 hours prior to travel for all participants, staff, and officials. Furthermore, should we determine it safe to allow for restricted fan access to the event, there will be responsibilities of those fans to provide either a negative test result or proof of vaccine. If fans are allowed, we will use state guidelines for admittance.
Additionally, the USCAA will be working with the facilities to provide means for screening, increased social distancing, disinfecting of dugouts and other common spaces between games, and travel procedures that limit congregating and interacting with participants from other institutions. We are also working on an enhanced Code of Conduct that would require participants to remain in the “bubble” of the hotel and host facility and not to go into public places with the exception to pick up meals.
We will be sending a survey within the next few days that should be distributed to your direct report (Dean, VP, or President). This survey will ask about the member institutions’ commitment to attend National Championships under these parameters and should be completed by the final decision maker. This information will be shared with the Board of Directors for their March meeting, where they will make a final decision on the status of Championships this season.
We thank you for your continued engagement as we seek to navigate the pandemic and return to play as soon as safely possible.
National Championship Feedback
· 62 responses (highest response all year)
· 76% will compete this spring.
· 13% unsure
SOCCER
· Mixed responses
· Only 9 institutions competing who would travel to a national invitational.
GOLF
· 17 teams with intent to participate.
· 4 would not compete.
· 9 are still unsure
BASEBALL and SOFTBALL
· 50% of respondents who have baseball and softball responded that they are either committed to playing
· 40% stated they are still unsure about their intent
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
· 40% respondents are currently under travel restrictions.
· 7 institutions would need more than 1 week for approval to travel.