LATHAM, N.Y. - Over the last few months, the member institutions of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) have worked tirelessly to plan for the upcoming fall semester while reviewing all return to play options for our student-athletes. As is the case in all that we do, the safety, health, and well-being of our students, staff, and greater campus communities is of the utmost importance in any path forward as we continue to navigate the impacts of COVID-19.

Given the current state of the pandemic and the most recent NCAA recommendations, the NEAC Presidents’ Council has unanimously determined that our eight member institutions will not participate in intercollegiate athletic competition during the Fall 2020 season. NEAC institutions will work together in collaboration with the conference office and the NCAA to seek alternate opportunities to provide a meaningful student-athlete experience throughout the fall season. A decision regarding winter and spring competition will be made at a later date.

“We know this decision is incredibly disappointing as we understand the value of competition and the student-athlete experience across the NEAC,” said Pennsylvania College of Technology President and NEAC Presidents’ Council Chair Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour. “We also recognize the responsibility we bear to ensure the safety and well-being of all who are affiliated with our campus communities. Given the recent NCAA recommendations and CDC guidelines, as well as current state and local regulations, engaging in outside athletic competition is not feasible at this time.”

The NEAC Presidents’ Council, Board of Athletic Directors and the conference office will continue to monitor the on-going developments of the pandemic. We will continue to rely on NCAA recommendations, CDC guidelines, and federal, state, local and campus regulations as we develop all future plans for our student-athletes and any potential return to play.

“Our members have worked so hard over the last few months in hopes of returning to play this fall and we acknowledge that while this was a necessary decision at this time, it is the most difficult decision,” added NEAC Commissioner Stephanie Dutton. “We will continue to remain committed to our student-athletes as we all work through this. While we are accustomed to competing against each other in the fall, we will lean on each other in the coming months to continue to provide for our student-athletes in a collaborative way.”

As additional updates are available regarding NCAA rules and regulations, the NEAC will share that information with our member institutions.

-NEAC Presidents' Council

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The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) has eight NCAA Division III member institutions which include: Gallaudet University, Lancaster Bible College, Morrisville State, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, and Wells College. Associate members are Rutgers University – Camden (M Golf), and SUNY Potsdam (M Volleyball). The NEAC has also partnered with the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in the sports of men's and women's lacrosse and the North Atlantic Conference in men’s tennis and women’s tennis. For more information, please visit: www.neacsports.com.