EDISON, N.J. – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has decided to cancel fall sports competition due to continuing health and safety concerns surrounding the global Covid-19 pandemic, as voted upon on Monday at a meeting of the MAAC Council of Presidents. A decision on whether fall sports competition would be feasible in the spring will be determined by the presidents at a later date.
Fairfield University's MAAC-sponsored fall sports are men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer and volleyball. Fairfield's field hockey program, which competes in the Northeast Conference (NEC), will not participate in competition this fall as well.
"We are disappointed to see competition for the fall season canceled, but we understand and support this decision as a necessary measure for the health and safety of our student-athletes and staff," said Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann. "I am heartbroken for our student-athletes who will not have the opportunity to compete for a championship this fall, but I am confident that our Stags will continue to excel in all of their endeavors as students, as athletes, and as leaders in our campus community."
The MAAC Council of Presidents also voted to allow athletically related activities and training opportunities for enrolled student-athletes, provided they are structured in accordance with each institution's procedures and applicable state regulations. Fairfield Athletics will continue to provide athletic, academic, and mental health support for all of its student-athletes.
"We are looking forward to welcoming our student-athletes back to campus this fall to pursue their academic degrees, and continuing their respective sports training. While the MAAC will not be participating in competitive play this fall, Fairfield is confident in our re-opening plans and looks forward to seeing our students in August," said University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD.
"Our mantra, 'We Are Stags' is not defined by the beginning and end of a playing season," noted Schlickmann. "In that spirit, we remain steadfast in our priority to optimize the educational experience of our student-athletes by affording them the physical, intellectual, mental health and spiritual services they need to succeed and to thrive regardless of the circumstances."
Schlickmann continued, "I am grateful for the patience and trust displayed to us by our student-athletes, coaches, staff and parents as we pursued all options in an exhaustive process to arrive at this difficult decision. Our effort and planning for our teams to begin competition will continue in earnest. In the meantime, we pledge to do our part to serve the greater good and overcome the unique challenges presented in these extraordinary times."
All intercollegiate competitions this fall – both regular-season contests and scrimmages – for all other Fairfield varsity sports are also canceled. The status of Fairfield's winter sports schedule – specifically, men's and women's basketball and men's and women's swimming and diving – will be addressed at a later date.
View the MAAC Statement on Fall Sports
