Massachusetts State Colleges Cancel 2020 Fall Sports

More disappointing COVID-19-related news: while Massachusetts' new COVID cases and deaths have improved dramatically over the past couple of months, the numbers have not fallen enough for the state-run colleges to feel good enough to allow fall athletics.

The Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference today announced that all indoor and outdoor athletic competition would be suspended.

There had been some hope among athletes, coaches and parents that, depending upon the risk level, some fall sports would have been allowed to continue; however, that hope was dashed today.

"The MASCAC Presidents know the value of intercollegiate athletics to our campus community and how important sports are to our student-athletes. The news that we need to suspend the fall season is understandably disappointing, but the health and safety of our students and staff is of the utmost importance," said Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President James Birge, Chair of the MASCAC Council of Presidents. "These are unprecedented times and making the difficult decision to suspend fall athletics is equally unprecedented. We will continue to monitor the facts and reevaluate the status of athletics as information and data evolves."

The announcement affects all sports at the following schools:

• Bridgewater State University
• Fitchburg State University
• Framingham State University
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy  
• Salem State University                             
• Westfield State University     
• Worcester State University

The Ivy League previously announced that it was canceling fall sports at the beginning of July.

There has still been no formal announcement about most local youth fall sports or high school athletics. However, if this decision is any indication, they are all very much in jeopardy.