WESTFIELD – Westfield State University athletics announced Monday that with the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference’s announcement that the league will cancel the spring sport seasons and championships, Westfield State will also formally cancel all spring sports for the 2020 season.
While Westfield State had hoped that there would be an opportunity for its Smith-Cup leading athletic programs to have the opportunity to continue their seasons at some point this spring, updated guidance from the Governor’s office indicates that this is was the most prudent move for student and community safety at this unprecedented point in time, the university’s associate athletic director Dave Caspole said.
The NCAA has announced plans for eligibility waivers for all 2020 spring sport athletes affected by the cancellations due to COVID-19. Westfield State athletics will make further guidance on applying for eligibility waivers available to Owls’ student-athletes as it is announced by the NCAA.
Current student athletes should continue to complete all academic work as directed by their professors, whether through online or alternative delivery methods, or when/if return to campus occurs. The University’s main coronavirus update page is available at http://www.westfield.ma.edu//student-life/health-services/coronavirus-update with official University updates as they occur.
Westfield State plans to resume all intercollegiate athletics programs in the fall of 2020, and encourages both current and prospective student-athletes to stay in touch with their coaching staff and complete all necessary steps for enrollment, and housing for the fall semester. Westfield State athletics coaches, administration and staff will be available by phone and e-mail to answer questions, concerns, and academic support issues.
Intercollegiate athletics helps instill many life values, including overcoming challenges, resiliency, and teamwork.
Officials from Westfield State’s athletics department went on to “salute” its spring-student athletes for their contributions to the athletics program, and their resiliency in the face of this challenge. They also went on to thank those student-athletes graduating who do not plan to extend their eligibility, wishing them well in their future plans. – Courtesy of Westfield State University Sports
