Hartford, Conn. – Trinity College is pleased to announce that its varsity athletic teams will return to intercollegiate competition this spring.  The announcement has been made alongside the commitment by the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) to conduct its spring sports seasons in 2021.  

"After a year away from competition, a phased return to athletic activities provides an opportunity for over a third of our students to engage in one of their greatest passions, while giving an example and pathway for other college activities to resume with appropriate protocols," said Trinity Athletic Director Drew Galbraith. "Between mitigation efforts, regular testing and supervision, athletics and recreation is one of the most, regulated and monitored co-curricular pursuits for our students.  We are proud that our student-athletes, coaches and staff will be among the leaders who will illustrate how to participate in campus activities in a safe and responsible manner." 

Trinity's varsity teams resumed team practices on March 1 and will begin competition later this month depending on campus and community virus levels.  NESCAC play is expected to start in April with schedules for baseball, softball, golf, lacrosse, rowing, tennis and track and field.  Trinity's fall and winter teams, unable to compete this year during their traditional seasons due to the pandemic, will be permitted to schedule a limited number of local contests during the spring as well.  Schedules for all teams will be finalized in the coming days, and NESCAC schedules for spring sports will be publicized after all conference opponents have declared their intentions. Post season plans are yet to be determined.

Trinity teams will follow strict guidelines for travel and competition, including day trips only, properly-spaced bus travel, no indoor dining away from campus, and wearing masks while competing and traveling. Due to college health and safety protocols, outside spectators will not be permitted to attend games at Trinity or throughout the NESCAC at the current time. Trinity Athletics will work to livestream games whenever possible throughout the semester with spring sports featured on the Northeast Sports Network (NSN), and links will be available on team schedule pages through the athletics website, Bantamsports.com.  Trinity will continue to monitor developments and health guidelines and make adjustments to this plan as necessary. 

"Our return to competition will not only signal the beginning of a return to normalcy but will be an example to the broader Trinity community of the progress our institution continues to make in forging a safe and successful path out of the past year," said Galbraith.