Bryant University Fall Athletics Face Delayed Start

SMITHFIELD, RI — Bryant University fall athletics are getting bumped back at least another couple of weeks as the Northeast Conference became the latest collegiate conference to consider postponing or canceling games due to the coronavirus health crisis.

One day after the Ivy League announced all sports competitions will be prohibited through the end of 2020, the NEC took a more conservative approach — at least for now — pushing back the start of fall contests until at least Sept. 10, with the possible exception of non-conference football.

"With the health and safety of our campus and athletic communities at the forefront, the NEC Presidents are utilizing a set of guiding principles to assist in their decision-making around the resumption of sports this fall," said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris. "With so many unknown factors at this point in time, the NEC has elected to delay the start of competition and take advantage of the extra time to continue to evaluate the local, regional and national landscape relative to COVID-19. The Presidents will reconvene in a few weeks to chart the course moving forward."

In what they call the NEC Fall Sports Return to Play Play, the Northeast Conference Council of Presidents said the recommendations are being developed in conjunction with NEC athletic directors and the NEC COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee.

The Council of Presidents said the recommendations will be reevaluated in the upcoming weeks as coronavirus data warrants.

The NEC said Sept. 10 has been set as the start date for conference and non-conference competition. Football programs are permitted to play non-conference games prior to Sept. 10 at each college's discretion.

Associated members of the conference — such as Merrimack University — will defer to full member conference regulations.

NEC schools are expected to work with non-conference opponents to help ensure they are complying with similar guidelines and restrictions as the NEC. Overnight travel will be reduced when possible.

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