Fall Sports At Rowan University Canceled

GLASSBORO, NJ — The New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), of which Rowan University is a member, has canceled its fall sports season due to the coronavirus pandemic, the conference announced on Tuesday.

Conference leadership will explore the possibility of playing fall sports in the spring, according to the conference.

This means Rowan will not compete in men’s and women’s cross country, football, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball this fall.

However, it will work to create a safe environment for athletes to participate in skills training and strength and conditioning sessions during the semester.

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“This is obviously a COVID-19 driven decision that matches the decisions made by many conferences throughout the NCAA out of concern for student-athletes, their coaches and the potential of spreading COVID-19 to at risk family and friends. Any time a decision affects student-athletes and coaches, it is extremely difficult, but there is nothing more important than their well-being,” Rowan Director of Athletics Dr. John Giannini said. “We will provide the best possible support for our student-athletes in academics and mental health, while giving them the opportunity to train and practice safely to make sure they continue to progress as students and as competitors. Our priorities remain to see them stay healthy, to graduate, succeed in life and achieve their athletic goals.”

A decision about winter sports will be made at a later date.

“With the assistance of the conference, we will also continue to monitor health developments and NCAA legislation to maximize opportunities for our student-athletes without costing their eligibility for future seasons,” Giannini said. “If possible, we will try to turn the disappointment from the fall into an opportunity for future growth and competition, perhaps as soon as this spring.”

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