CCC has cancelled conference competition for winter sports

During a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 20, the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) board of directors voted to cancel conference competition for winter sports for the 2020-21 season.

This decision — which affects men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s ice hockey — was made following months of discussions by conference leadership, including presidents and athletic directors, regarding how to return to play safely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout these discussions, ensuring the health and safety of student-athletes, everyone within campus communities and mitigating the spread of the virus remained the principal objectives. Given current infection rates and the state regulations regarding interstate travel, the board came to the conclusion that a CCC winter sports schedule was not feasible.

The cancelation of conference competition applies only to contests scheduled by the league office, including the conference championship. Each institution maintains autonomy to compete independently, including contests against other conference schools that choose to play. This position applies to both winter sports and any others in the 2020-21 season that had been previously canceled.

“It’s a very difficult announcement to make,” said Jody Mooradian, Salve Regina director of athletics. “My heart goes out to our student-athletes, coaches, and their families. They have been working and training so hard for the opportunity to play, but our priority is always their health and welfare as we navigate this challenging time. With so much uncertainty as to the ability to compete the Conference board had to act in the best interest of our students and community and cancel the conference winter sports competitions.”

At this time, it is the Conference’s intent to sponsor CCC competition for spring sports beginning March 27 pending the board’s review of health guidance and travel restrictions. Spring sports include baseball, softball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s golf and women’s track & field.

“We understand the disappointment and impact this decision has on our student athletes, as they have had to endure similar decisions throughout the course of the pandemic,” a spokesperson for Salve Regina said. “The University will continue to assess the current climate regarding opportunities for student athletes to participate in their sport in some way while also ensuring that they, and our larger community remains safe. Mitigating the spread of the virus is what is most important at this time, and our students have been preparing for this outcome.”