The Atlantic 10 (A-10) Conference, in conjunction with its member institutions, postponed fall conference-sponsored athletic contests and championships until spring 2021, according to a July 17 announcement.

Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade and other A-10 officials held virtual meetings with the Head Coaches Committee from each fall sport to consult with the decision, according to the conference’s website.

The A-10 also states on their website that “Our campuses are well equipped to handle the incorporation of fall sports into the spring season.”  

At St. Joe’s, the A-10’s decision disrupts the traditional competitive seasons for men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country and field hockey. Additionally, the off-season fall competitive schedules of men’s and women’s tennis, men’s golf and women’s rowing are canceled.

 “Our student-athletes are strong, passionate and resilient, and they deserve the opportunity to play an uninterrupted season; we simply did not feel that was possible in the fall semester,” wrote Jill Bodensteiner, J.D., director of athletics, in a news release. “We will continue to support our student-athletes in all respects – including a focus on their physical and mental health – and look forward to cheering them on in the future.”

The conference has instituted a “look-in window” policy, meaning that if the risks of COVID-19 are substantially reduced by mid-September, an abbreviated competitive schedule could be established. 

Once student-athletes return to campus, they will train under safety protocols implemented by the A-10 and St. Joe’s and local health officials. All student-athletes will receive skill instruction, strength training and coaching while gradually returning to team practices in preparation for a spring 2021 competitive schedule.

Details of the rescheduling for spring 2021 will be determined at a later date. The A-10 and St. Joe’s have not changed the competitive schedules for winter and spring sports at this time.