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Midwest Conference Cancels Winter Sports Seasons

Monmouth, IL (12/03/2020) — The Midwest Conference - of which Monmouth College is a member - will not hold winter sports during the 2020-21 school year.

The Midwest Conference Presidents Council announced this morning that the conference will not sponsor league competition, including championships, for fall and winter sports during 2020-21. The decision by the Midwest Conference Presidents Council was unanimous and covers: men's and women's basketball; men's and women's cross country; football; men's and women's soccer; men's and women's swimming and diving; men's and women's indoor track and field; and volleyball.

Training, skill development and/or strength and conditioning sessions may continue for fall and winter sport athletes at the discretion of each institution. Similarly, the Midwest Conference Presidents Council endorsed the concept of institutional autonomy with regard to scrimmages and/or competition.

"The decision to suspend winter sports competition was not an easy one, especially after the decision earlier this year to suspend fall athletics," said Monmouth President Clarence Wyatt, who is a member of the Midwest Presidents Council. "Athletics plays such an important part of our students' college experience. In addition to providing our students an important outlet and opportunity for leadership development, athletics give our campus a place to come together and celebrate our students and their accomplishments. When our students return to campus next month, our winter sports student-athletes will remain engaged with their coaches and teammates through modified practices and workouts in a manner that is safe for all involved."

Over the past several months, the Midwest Conference has closely monitored the evolving COVID-19 situation, as well as its impact on its 10-member campuses, local communities and the Midwest region with the hope of resuming safe competition for its student-athletes. The recent surge in positive cases, both regionally and nationally, the resulting impact on academic calendars, and the continued uncertainty surrounding the pandemic were factors in the decision not to play a winter athletic schedule.

"The health and well-being of all involved in our athletics program has been, and will continue to be, the driving force behind our individual and collective decisions during this challenging time," said Monmouth Director of Athletics Roger Haynes. "While a return to competition is certainly a goal for our student-athletes, we must continue to monitor changing federal, state and local guidance, and we will continue to consult with our trusted public health authorities."

The Midwest Conference continues to work diligently toward a spring season for baseball, softball, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's outdoor track and field. The Conference's COVID-19 Working Group has developed return-to-play guidance that aligns with the most current NCAA Sport Science Institute's Resocialization and Acclimatization recommendations, including elements such as testing, positive COVID-19 case response and environmental adjustments to reduce the risk of transmission.

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