CENTER VALLEY, Pa. -- In recognition of the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, the Patriot League Council of Presidents announces the following principles, which will guide the development of a Patriot League Fall 2020 Athletics Plan that makes the health and safety of our communities its highest priority:
Student-athletes will return to campus at the same time as other students;
- Patriot League competition will begin at the end of September, with the expectation that League play will be completed prior to Thanksgiving;
- Non-League competition will not begin prior to Friday, Sept. 4;
- Patriot League member institutions will confirm that non-League competitors are following comparable health and safety protocols in advance of any contest; and,
- No Patriot League teams will fly to competitions and, with rare exceptions, regular-season competition will exclude overnight travel.
Patriot League Athletics Directors and League staff will develop schedules to meet these criteria, which will be announced at a future date. Each campus is developing its own re-opening plan.
The Patriot League is committed to building as robust an academic and athletic experience for our student-athletes as possible this fall. We thank all members of our communities for your commitment to the experience of our student-athletes, the success of our Division I Athletics programs, and the shared principles of the Patriot League.
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.