BEVERLY, Mass. – In two separate announcements this week, the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) and New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) approved their respective return to play protocols for spring sports.
Below are both announcements which impact Endicott in the following CCC sports (baseball, softball, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's tennis, men's golf, and women's track & field) and NECC sports (men's volleyball).
CCC play is set to begin on March 27, while NECC men's volleyball action is tentatively scheduled to start on March 12. Due to the ever-changing pandemic landscape, all CCC and NECC anticipated schedules are subject to change.
Please note, with the safety of the Endicott community as our top priority, no spectators will be permitted at any Endicott home sporting event that is conducted in 2020-21.
CCC PRESS RELEASE
On Wednesday (3/3), the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Board of Directors approved its plan to return to conference competition for the spring 2021 season. The plan affirms the Board's previously stated intention to begin CCC play for spring sports beginning on March 27.
Protocols have been adopted with the health and safety of our campus communities remaining the priority. Conference members will be required to test all student-athletes and team personnel twice per week, with a negative PCR test result required at least 72 hours before competition.
In addition to this rigorous COVID-19 testing protocol which exceeds NCAA recommendations, the CCC will require universal masking for all competitors, team personnel, and officials. Additionally, no spectators will be admitted to the sites of competition.
This decision affects baseball, softball, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's tennis, men's golf, and women's track & field.
Conference schedules and tournament formats are in the process of being finalized by the CCC athletic directors and the conference office.
Additionally, each individual CCC institution will be allowed to exercise autonomy with regard to its non-conference schedules.
NECC PRESS RELEASE
On Monday (3/1), the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Presidents' Council formally approved policies and protocols that support the resumption of NECC competition this spring. The Council did acknowledge that despite its endorsement of health and safety protocols, it will remain the decision of each member institution to determine if they can safely participate in intercollegiate athletics this spring and in which sports they will permit competition.
Consistent with all decisions, the safety and well-being of our student-athletes and campus communities remain the primary focus of the NECC. The Conference will ensure all student-athletes and appropriate game personnel meet testing standards consistent with current NCAA protocol. Additionally, all NECC student-athletes and game personnel will be required to wear face coverings during all competitions.
Full spring sport schedules will be shared as soon as they are finalized by the conference.
The conference will continue to examine its postseason qualification policies and tournament formats. Additional information on the NECC postseason will be made available in the coming weeks.
Specific questions regarding either the CCC or NECC Return To Play Plans should be directed to Dr. Brian A. Wylie, Assistant Vice President & Athletics Director at bwylie@endicott.edu or 978-232-2440.
