As COVID-19 continues to impact the state, the Presidents of the Minnesota colleges of the MCAC released a statement on Friday, August 13 emphasizing their commitment to athletics for the 2021-22 academic year. They also shared COVID-19 mitigation strategies for the fall sports of football, volleyball, and soccer; the winter sports of basketball and wrestling; and the spring sports of baseball and softball. Below is their full statement:
"The Minnesota State presidents of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference reaffirm their collective commitment to sports in the 2021-2022 academic year. To prioritize the health of student athletes and support our athletic seasons, participating colleges commit to implementing appropriate COVID-19 mitigation strategies and strongly recommended that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19. Effective August 23, 2021, athletes participating in contact sports (football, volleyball, baseball, softball, basketball, wrestling, and soccer) who do not provide proof of vaccination will be tested once per week. Any athlete with COVID-19 symptoms will be tested, regardless of vaccination status. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as appropriate."
Individual MCAC member college campuses may implement additional strategies to lessen the effects of COVID-19 on their individual campuses, such as mask requirements and facility limitations for teams or spectators. Visitors are encouraged to check with the host college for all COVID-19 guidelines on that campus prior to visiting.
About Minnesota College Athletic Conference:The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system, as well as select member colleges in North Dakota and Wisconsin. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs. For more information, visit www.mcacsports.org | MCAC Facebook | Twitter @MCACSports