The ODAC postponed conference competition and championships for fall and winter sports through the end of the 2020 calendar year (Dec. 31). The league did not make this decision lightly, but became convinced that it was necessary, and will serve to protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and administration, their families, and our broader campus and local communities.
This page of FAQs will continue to be updated as necessary.
Updated | July 21, 2020
How was this decision made?
This decision was made following extensive meetings between numerous governing bodies and committees within the conference. These groups (Presidents, Directors of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrators (SWAs), and Athletic Trainers (ATCs)) have met on a regular basis since the cessation of competition in March. Plans were developed for the resumption of competition on members campuses. A significant amount of time was dedicated to an ODAC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Competition drafted by the league ATCs and adopted by the conference leadership.
After the league made a number of significant decisions for the fall sports seasons (start date, change in soccer schedules, other fall sport adjustments, and adoption of the competition SOP), the national landscape for competition started to change. Division III conferences began making decisions to suspend or cancel fall competition and the NCAA’s perspective on a safe return to sport/resocialization was changing. Conference leadership continued to explore opportunities for fall conference competitions. But as the virus’s hold on the country intensified, the league concluded that a postponement of fall and winter competition was the best decision moving forward.
After numerous meetings during the weeks of July 6 and 13, the conference Board of Directors made a formal recommendation to postpone fall competition. The conference Presidents Council approved the recommendation during its scheduled meeting on July 20, 2020.
What are the NCAA's Core Principles for Resocialization of Collegiate Sports?
The idea of sport resocialization is predicated on a scenario of reduced or flattened infection rates. The association completed an original version of the core principles and revised that document several times with the most recent version released on July 16. The July 16th document included a number of substantive changes from the previous version. Overall, the current public health situation is not in a place that the NCAA Sports Science Institute (SSI) staff anticipated we would be at for the start of the 2020 fall athletic seasons - thus, there are a number of direct references to testing that were not part of the original principles. The NCAA is continuing to monitor all information around COVID-19. You can find full details here.
Will there be an opportunity for fall and winter sports to have a competitive season in the spring?
The ODAC remains committed as a conference and as individual institutions to building an academic and athletic experience for our student-athletes that is as safe and as robust as possible. This includes plans for competitive opportunities for the fall and winter sports in the spring.
It is important to note that current NCAA legislation does not permit fall sports to compete in the spring. The NCAA is currently considering a waiver that would provide institutions flexibility in their sport seasons during 2020-21. This will most likely allow schools to count their playing seasons in 114 days. The NCAA’s current structure requires a weekly sports calendar and does not provide as much flexibility as offered in the proposed waiver. A final decision on the waiver is expected following the Division III Management Council Meeting on July 20-21.
What will it be like to participate on a team this fall?
After considering all of the health and safety factors involved with competition, the ODAC has postponed conference competition and championships for our teams through the calendar year (Dec. 31). Individual return-to-play protocols will be in place at each member institution to allow for athletic experiences within the parameters of federal, state, institutional, conference, and NCAA guidance. In the meantime, we plan for teams to be able to practice and gather this fall under the supervision of their coaches and athletics department.
The conference continues to plan for positive interactions with our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. The league will work to execute programming, professional development opportunities, and features about the members of our ODAC family.
Will this decision affect spring sports in their non-traditional season?
Decisions around non-traditional practices remain institutional. Schools will work with their coaches, staff, and student-athletes to plan for the best experience in the fall.
Will winter teams be able to participate in practices in the fall?
There may be opportunities for winter sports teams to gather and practice, according to their usual practice schedules as defined by current NCAA legislation. Much of this decision is weighed by a potential NCAA waiver that would permit member institutions flexibility while defining their 2020-21 playing and practice seasons. Should this waiver pass, it is expected that winter sports would have a longer period of time for preseason/off-season practices.
When will decisions be made about the spring semester sports competition/seasons?
The ODAC statement specifically applies to any conference competition and championships for fall and winter sports during the fall semester. No conference sponsored competition will occur until January 1 or later. The conference leadership has started its planning for the spring sports season and exploring ways in which the league can incorporate spring competition for all sponsored sports. The league’s intent is to provide a meaningful experience for all conference participants in a safe and healthy environment. Any return to campus will most likely include a period of resocialization and acclimatization. The league will continue to monitor public health guidance and coordinate with local, state, and federal health authorities, as well as the NCAA and other national medical and sports organizations.
Will practicing affect my NCAA eligibility?
No. For Division III student-athletes, participation in workouts, meetings, or practices in their usual season during the fall semester will not trigger the use of a season of participation.
Additionally, the NCAA recently issued a blanket waiver that states that Division III student-athletes will not be charged with a season of participation for the 2020-21 season if their team completes 50-percent or less of the sport’s maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NCAA also issued a blanket statement stating that a student-athlete will receive a two semester extension of eligibility (towards their 10-semester total) if they are unable to participate due to COVID-19 or if their team completes 50-percent or less of that sport's maximum contests/dates of competition. Visit the NCAA website for the full announcement.