SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The State University of New York Athletic Conference Presidents' Council will continue to prioritize safety in the conduct of spring intercollegiate athletics by limiting attendance to participating student-athletes, officials and athletic administrators. Although the State of New York has updated guidance to allow for spectators, the leadership of SUNYAC has decided that spectators will not be admitted to any contests this spring.

To view the official SUNYAC Statement, click here.

"After having the 2020 spring season cancelled due to the pandemic, the focus of the SUNYAC is to ensure spring sport student-athletes are able to compete in 2021 without losing a second season," the SUNYAC Presidents Council stated.

Thanks to a robust, system-wide approach to combating the COVID-19 virus, most campuses have an infection rate of less than 0.5 percent.

Unlike high school sports where attendance at athletic events predominantly comes from the local community, NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics draws students and spectators from a vast geographic region. This poses a much greater potential to spread the COVID-19 virus to areas currently experiencing low infection rates.

Risking a reintroduction of the virus into SUNYAC campuses and their local communities would not be a responsible decision.

Also, the NCAA has granted spring sport athletes at the Division III level two additional seasons of eligibility that may be used at the undergraduate or graduate level to extend their intercollegiate athletic careers.

SUNY New Paltz will be following the same policy the SUNYAC Presidents decided upon and will not admit any spectators for any of their home contests, which includes men's volleyball who competes in the United Volleyball Conference.
 
The Hawks officially opened up their season in March with men's volleyball, softball, baseball, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse and tennis competing for conference and national titles this spring.
 
To make sure family, friends and fans can still watch the Hawks, all home events will be live streamed and live stated. For all live stat and live stream links, click here.
 
For the most up to date varsity athletic schedule, click here.

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