Northeast-10 Cancels Intercollegiate Sports for the Winter

The Northeast-10 Conference Council of Presidents has announced that it will suspend all intercollegiate athletics competition and championships this winter – an extension of its fall 2020 suspension – to curb the spread of COVID-19 and protect the members of its college communities. At Bentley, the suspension will affect men’s and women’s basketball, swimming and diving, and track and field. 

As with the cancellation of the fall season, student-athletes will continue to be allowed to practice, train and participate in team activities as long as all health and safety protocols are followed, including wearing face coverings at all times and participating in the weekly screening test program.

“I know this decision is disappointing to the student-athletes and coaches who work so hard to represent our university,” said Athletics Director Vaughn Williams, who shared the news with the university’s student-athletes in a call on Tuesday afternoon. “I am inspired every day by the perseverance and commitment our student-athletes have shown during the pandemic and look forward to the day they can compete again.”

Men’s hockey at Bentley, which plays in the Atlantic Hockey Association, is not impacted by this decision and will continue to compete in adherence with strict health and safety protocols. 

The Northeast-10 is committed to a return to competition for spring sports, whose 2020 seasons were cancelled at the start of the pandemic. The conference plans a decision in January about the possible resumption of fall competitions.