Molloy College postpones fall athletics

In light of increased concerns for the safety of student-athletes and coaches, Molloy College made the decision to postpone intercollegiate competition for the fall of 2020.

Friday’s ruling was made in unison with its East Coast Conference member institutions. The uncertainty associated with travel, social distancing and the changing landscape with the continued spread of COVID-19, made it clear the ECC would be unable to provide the best student-athlete experience.
Affected by the decision are the conference’s fall sports of men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. Women’s tennis had previously been moved to the spring season in a vote by the league’s athletic directors last month.

“We understand that all of our 19 teams' student-athletes are eager to get back on the field and courts, and we will make sure that we provide them this opportunity through practice opportunities and skill instruction in the Fall within a safer and more controlled environment as permitted by local, state and institutional  guidelines,” Molloy College Director of Athletics Susan Cassidy-Lyke said.

The ECC Council of Presidents issued the following statement: “In the best tradition of NCAA Division II, the presidents of the East Coast Conference always make the health and safety of our student-athletes our highest priority, and this is why we unanimously chose to make this unprecedented change in this year’s schedule.”

The ECC winter sports — men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor track & field, and women’s bowling — are also affected by the decision as the sports will not start their season of competition until the beginning of 2021. Conference championship dates for the winter sports will remain intact.

In addition, training, workout, and practice activities during the fall semester will be left to the discretion of each institution based on facilities, staffing, and in accordance with school, local, and state regulations.

Molloy College is in the process of planning schedules and competitions for its Fall and Winter teams to begin after January 1, 2021. At this time, Spring team starting times remain as planned for Spring 2021.

The Northeast-10 Conference, which Molloy is an associate member, competing in field hockey, has also announced the suspension of athletic competition for the Fall 2020 semester. 

“This is not the outcome we had hoped for but our decision was made in the best interest of our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” Cassidy-Lyke said. “Our student-athletes are resilient and I am confident we will come back stronger and ready to compete.”