(Updated July 10, 2020)
Updates to Planning for 2020-21 Athletics and Recreation
Athletics are an integral part of the Trinity experience. The NCAA has proposed a phased return to sports that depends on the virus not resurging on college campuses. Our own conference, the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) stated on July 10, 2020:
"In keeping with public health guidance, each of our institutions has put in place physical distancing protocols, limits on travel on and off campus, and limits on the size of on-campus gatherings. Consistent with these policies, the NESCAC Presidents have decided unanimously, though with great reluctance, that NESCAC conference competition for fall sports must be canceled for fall 2020. Athletics remains an important part of the experience for our students. Conference members will continue to work together to seek creative ways to provide meaningful athletic opportunities for our students during the upcoming academic year. To that end, the Presidents have agreed to modify some NESCAC rules to enable coaches and students to engage in practice and training opportunities outside the traditional season, in accordance with the rules of each member institution and local health directives."
It's clear that the fall (and likely winter) season of athletic competition will not occur as usual. We will have significantly fewer, if any, competitions in the fall, but we are aiming for physically distanced practices for in and out-of-season sports and robust team activities to engage our student-athletes.
An incredible amount of thoughtful planning by teams across campus has been devoted to this effort, and of course there is much more to do and many more decisions to make as we move toward fall. We will continue to be guided by the State of Connecticut's policies and recommendations with regard to managing the virus, as well as by recommendations from public health and infectious disease experts and organizations. Such guidance is evolving, and the state of the pandemic—while dramatically improved here in Connecticut—varies greatly by location, which means we will adapt our plans as needed to keep our community safe and to contribute to the global efforts to mitigate the pandemic.
In developing plans for the safe return and resocialization of sport at Trinity, we continue to follow guidance from the CDC, NCAA, American College Health Association, National Athletic Trainers' Association, National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, and other sport-specific governing bodies.
We will look for creative ways to engage scholar-athletes during this non-traditional fall season. We will continue to keep you informed over the summer, as plans for athletics continue to take shape.
Varsity Athletics
Given the decision made regarding the fall varsity season by our conference, the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), Trinity plans strict adherence to the
NCAA's Core Principles to Resocialization in College Sports.
What we know we can do as of today:
- Varsity teams can hold in-person gatherings, respecting campus guidelines.
- Student-athletes may meet with coaches.
- Student-athletes may engage in strength and conditioning workouts and other in-person activities to hone physical skills and abilities.
- Teams may practice in groups, if it remains possible to respect campus guidelines in place at the time. All athletic activities this fall and for the foreseeable future will have supervision of coaches or athletic personnel.
- To support and expand such opportunities, NESCAC recently revised its own regulations in order to give varsity teams more opportunities to be together outside their traditional season.
- Varsity teams will be able to schedule athletic facilities for out-of-season activities (e.g. fall practice in spring sports), allowing us to control the number of people using a facility at one time and comply with state, local, and institutional facilities-use restrictions.
- Varsity coaches will be allowed to supervise out-of-season activities in their sports. Student-athlete activity will be limited to that which is overseen by coaches and certified athletic trainers.
- Winter sports will be allowed to start practices Oct. 15, rather than Nov. 1.
- In order to account for changing academic calendars, winter sports would be allowed to start competition on Friday, Nov. 13, rather than Nov. 20, as Trinity and other conference schools will transition to remote learning after Thanksgiving (Nov. 26). The change could increase competition opportunities before Thanksgiving.
- We may be able to sponsor limited competition where safety protocols allow. Individual return-to-play protocols around each varsity sport will need to be followed in order to move from team gatherings to practices and then to competitions.
The Department of Athletics will continue to update student-athletes and their families as more information becomes available.
Club and Intramural Sports
Depending upon facility availability and ability to follow health and safety protocols we will look to support Trinity club sport and recreational athletes with as many on-campus opportunities as possible. Club sports will be asked to mirror the NCAA Return to Play guidelines and also have adult oversight of all activities.
Due to space and safety constraints, we do not expect to offer intramural programming in the fall, but we will look to expand recreational offerings, both virtually and outdoors. Intramural programs may be offered later in the fall semester if safe practices can be maintained and strong student interest exists.
Athletic Facilities
Always our top priority, the health and safety of the Trinity community within the college's athletic, recreational, and wellness facilities and programs are more important than ever. Following federal, state, institutional, and industry guidelines and recommendations, the Department of Athletics will make the following health-related modifications to facilities and programs:
- Only scheduled, supervised activities will be allowed in athletic facilities.
- Reservations for facilities such as the fitness center, squash courts, basketball courts, and unit D, will be required and must be made in advance.
- De-densification, physical distancing, face coverings, hand hygiene, and cleaning protocols are measures that will be implemented and enforced.
- More information about the new reservation system will be forthcoming and outlined on BantamSports.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will fall athletes return early to begin pre-season?
No, athletes will arrive on campus with other students on the schedule determined by the Dean's Office.
When will decisions be made about winter sports?
We are planning for winter teams to begin practice on Oct. 15 and continue until Thanksgiving. At this point, we do not anticipate winter student-athletes being on campus between Thanksgiving and the end of December. A decision about when teams can return after Winter Break will be decided later.
What does the NESCAC Presidents' Statement on Fall Sports mean?
Due to the ongoing pandemic, there will not be NESCAC regular season conference schedules or championships in any fall sports in Fall 2020.
What will it be like to participate on a team this fall?
We will utilize the
NCAA Resocialization of Sport Guidelines, which currently call for a three-phased return to sports activity.
In Phase I, workout/practice groups will be limited to 10 people (including coaches), social distancing will be adhered to, masks/face coverings will be worn when distancing cannot be maintained, equipment will not be shared among players, and training sessions will focus on individual skill work and conditioning. In Phase II, workout/practice groups may increase in size, distancing will be adhered to, equipment may be shared among team members, and training sessions will include organized group activities. Masks/face coverings will be worn based upon current state and college guidelines when distancing cannot be maintained. Phase III allows for larger groups, shared use of equipment, organized group activities and competition. Our athletic training staff will work with coaches and student-athletes to put enhanced personal hygiene and equipment cleaning practices in place. The NCAA continues to update these guidelines based on the latest medical information. We will provide updates as they become available.
Will outdoor facilities/spaces/fields be "open" for student groups?
We are required to follow college and state guidelines for gathering, including social distancing, group size, and limitations on various sports. For student groups who want to gather under these guidelines, the athletic department will assist in scheduling these spaces when possible. Supervision will be required at any such gathering.
Will student-athletes have access to Athletic Training services?
Yes, but access and services will be limited. All visits will require an appointment, and overall volume will be kept to a minimum. The Sports Medicine team will distribute guidelines later this summer, but social distancing, masking and hand-washing requirements will be strictly enforced.
Will student-athletes need to complete medical clearance paperwork and screening/baseline requirements with Sports Medicine? Have there been any changes to these protocols?
Yes, athletes will need to complete paperwork and baseline testing as usual. The only change in protocol is the use of telemedicine and remote appointments.
Paperwork and health history from ARMS (athletic department communication tool) will be reviewed and 'flagged' for anything Sports Medicine wants to examine more closely. Orthopedic concerns will be highlighted, and those athletes will be contacted. They will see one of the Orthopedic physicians once they have their on-campus physical.
This year, any student who is returning and has NO flags or orthopedic concerns will be cleared by an athletic trainer via telehealth appointment. All incoming athletes will have traditional on campus pre-participation examination. Athletes will be baseline tested for concussions (Impact test online at home, and then VOMS testing once on campus).
Are there certain medical conditions, in relation to Covid-19, that might preclude me from participating in organized athletic activity?
Yes. As outlined in the
NCAA Resocialization of Sport Guidelines, 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 the early stages of 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 and sports medicine professionals at the college.
How will travel to off-campus practice sites work (rowing, golf)?
The Athletic Department is developing a local travel policy and guidelines for those sports who have off-campus practice sites.
What does the new daily class schedule mean for the scheduling of practices?
Training groups and times will be established once student academic schedules are known.
Will my academic eligibility be affected if I spread my credits across Fall and J-terms?
As long as you are enrolled in a minimum of 4.0 credits (considered full-time enrollment at Trinity) in any combination of Fall and January term, then you will be academically eligible to participate in the Fall semester. Winter athletes are encouraged to enroll in at least one J-term class, but students should enroll in the class schedule that best fits their academic needs.
Will my NCAA eligibility be impacted if my team begins competition this year but is forced to stop because of the virus?
No. Division III student-athletes will not be charged with participation for the 2020-21 season if their team can complete only 50% or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCAA recognizes that schools may be forced to shorten athletics seasons due to health and safety concerns, as well as related administrative concerns. Amending the criteria for a season-of-participation waiver would ensure student-athletes have four meaningful seasons of participation opportunities. The proactive blanket waiver allows student-athletes to make informed enrollment decisions prior to the academic year.
The NCAA also approved a blanket waiver permitting student-athletes to receive a two-semester/three-quarter extension of eligibility if they are academically eligible and their team completes less than 50% of its season.
Will there be seasons in the spring for fall sports?
As it stands, the NESCAC Presidents have already approved a waiver that will allow for out-of-season practice in fall and spring sports. A number of Division III conferences are investigating the possibility of spring competitive seasons in fall sports if no competition is possible this fall. This would require an NCAA waiver and it would be premature to predict an outcome of that process and Trinity's response. More information will be forthcoming on that subject.
Will indoor spaces be available for "captains practices" (Oosting Gym, pool, squash courts)?
We will not be allowing indoor or outdoor spaces to be used for "captains practices." We are required to follow college and state guidelines for gathering, including social distancing, group size, and limitations on various sports. Student-athlete activity will be limited to that which is overseen by coaches and certified athletic trainers. The NESCAC Presidents are allowing for out-of-season practice in fall and spring sports as well as an earlier practice start date in winter sports. This is an effort to encourage safe gatherings for physical activity.
Club Sports
Will club sports be able to practice or compete during the fall semester?
Club sports will be asked to mirror the NCAA Return to Play guidelines and also have adult oversight of all activities. Director of Recreation Kevin Johnson will work with club sport captains to develop plans and schedule facilities. Club sports will not have outside competition in the fall.
Physical Education (PE)
Are there changes to the PE Curriculum?
There will be physical education classes offered throughout the year, both in-person and remotely.
How will I be able to participate in PE classes if I am remote?
The department will offer online options, as it did this spring.
Can any PE classes take place indoors?
Classes will begin outdoors this fall, and masks will be required when social distancing is not possible. This means we will not be offering some indoor classes during the fall semester. If we can move a class typically taught indoors outside, we will. We have added additional virtual offerings, as well.
(From March 11, 2020)
Trinity College Coronavirus Information
The following actions are taking place with regards to Athletics.
1) Following a decision of the NESCAC presidents, the NESCAC league and championship play are canceled. Further, Trinity College, like many of our NESCAC colleagues, has suspended spring sports activity until further notice effective on Friday, March 13.
Statement from the NESCAC Presidents Regarding COVID-19 & Athletics
2) Athletic facilities hours have been modified. We will reduce outside use of our facilities and will be in direct communication with outside users of our facilities about modifications.
"Yesterday, the NESCAC presidents met and concluded unanimously that conference competition, including conference championships, will be canceled for the 2020 spring season," said Trinity College President Joanne Berger-Sweeney. "We know this is extremely disappointing for our students, families, coaches, and fans. We will find ways to recognize your commitment to your sport and the college as we move forward."
Campus Community Update on March 11
FAQs
What is the availability of the Trinity College Athletic Facilities After March 13?
*All Trinity College athletic facilities have been closed until further notice.
Will my student-athlete eligibility be restored if I missed most or all of my season due to COVID-19?
*The NCAA has approved a blanket waiver for Division III spring sport student-athletes which allows the restoration of a season of eligibility. In addition, those same students will not be charged with a semester of eligibility for this spring. It should be noted that the NESCAC has not yet provided any guidance on this news. If you have questions on specifics, please email Associate AD Kristen Noone.
How has COVID-19 affected Trinity's recruitment of prospective student-athletes?
*The NESCAC Presidents and Athletic Directors are committed to helping minimize the spread of COVID-19. It is important that we heed the advice of experts and work together in order to mitigate the spread of the virus. In consultation with the Presidents, the NESCAC Athletic Directors unanimously agreed to stop all in-person recruiting through April 30th. Effective immediately all off-campus recruiting by NESCAC coaches and staff shall be prohibited. On-campus visits by recruited or prospective student-athletes to NESCAC institutions are also prohibited. Other recruiting communication such as email, phone, electronic, written, and social media communications remain permissible. This agreement will be reviewed in mid-April with an update regarding future recruiting policy guidance provided shortly thereafter.
What are some resources available to help student-athletes maintain their physical and mental health during this difficult time?
*The NCAA Sport Science Institute has several helpful resources available to college athletes. Several of these are listed below
NCAA Covid-19 Advisory Panel Exercise Recommendations
Healthy Tips for Athletes and Athletics Personnel
