Oswego, NY – SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, along with presidents from each SUNYAC member institution, announced Tuesday the approval of SUNYAC spring sports competition for the 2021 season.

Nearly a year since canceling the 2020 spring season, the State University of New York Athletic Conference will resume with a modified spring schedule that follows the health and safety protocols set by New York State. The detailed plan, put together in coordination with athletic training staff, coaches, athletic directors, sports information directors and administration from across all member institutions, was developed to create a safe environment for all student-athletes, coaches, officials and event staff.

"I am very impressed with the depth and detail of the plan developed by the SUNYAC commissioner and athletic directors and the Chancellor's commitment to our student-athletes," said SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian. "I am heartened that we can create opportunities for our SUNY New Paltz student-athletes to compete while also protecting the health and safety of those student-athletes and the community."

SUNY released its official statement Tuesday evening with Malatras, SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley, SUNY Cortland President and Chair of the SUNYAC's President Council Erik Bitterbaum, SUNYAC Commissioner Tom DiCamillo, among others weighing in on safely getting student-athletes competing once again. 

"The pandemic has kept our student athletes off the playing field for too long, but thanks to the great work and effort of SUNYAC Commissioner DiCamillo, our campus presidents, the SUNYAC leadership, athletic directors, coaches, and our athletes, we've developed a workable plan to resume athletic competition at SUNY," Malatras said. "I look forward to all of the great competition this year, and SUNY, like always, will aggressively handle any situations related to COVID as they emerge. I have confidence in our students — both on and off the field — to stay the course and comply to keep one another and our entire campuses and communities safe."

To read the full SUNY press release, click here.

SUNYAC's plan includes SUNY New Paltz Division III spring sponsored sports: baseball, softball, men's and women's lacrosse and women's tennis, was shared with local health officials. Masks will be required by all student-athletes, coaching staff members, officials, media members and game day administrative personnel. However, student-athletes may remove their masks when entering competition.

The approval of the spring 2021 season will be contingent on the "continued positive trajectory of the pandemic and the state of the COVID-19 virus on member campuses," according to the SUNYAC office's official statement. 

In accordance to the SUNYAC plan and New York State guidelines, SUNY New Paltz will not permit spectators, including parents and students, to attend contests at this time. Any future decisions on spectator attendance will follow New York State, SUNY, local department of health and institutional guidelines. Live streaming links for all Hawks home and away contests will be provided on each respective team's 2021 schedules. 

Information regarding the SUNY New Paltz men's volleyball season will be announced through the United Volleyball Conference.

"I am very pleased that we can provide our spring athletes an opportunity to compete in the sport they love, while protecting their well-being, and that of the campus community," said SUNY New Paltz Interim Athletics Director Matt Giufre. "It remains critical that all our students practice responsible behaviors in and outside of athletics, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and support a safe return to play for our spring athletes. We look forward to virtually cheering them on as they resume their athletic careers."

The SUNYAC will implement a divisional format, which splits the conference into an East and West bracket in order to reduce risk due to travel. Official SUNYAC schedules will be announced at a later date. The Hawks are anxious to get back in action after halting competition last March. Men's and women's lacrosse, women's tennis, softball and baseball will officially open a 2021 season with all five programs set on building on what was a shortened 2020.

SUNY New Paltz held its inaugural season for its men's lacrosse team last spring with the program finishing 2-2 in their opening four games, which all came against non-conference opponents. The Hawks will play their first slate of SUNYAC action in their second official season.

Baseball had a solid start to their 2020 season, going 2-2 against non-conference competition, while the softball program went 1-2-1 in their opening slate of games last year following a strong playoff run the season prior.

Women's lacrosse, which earned its first playoff berth in 2019, went 2-3 to open up 2020 against non-conference opponents and are built to make another playoff push in 2021 with the bulk of their roster returning as well. Women's tennis sustained the most success last season. Traditionally playing their conference schedule in the fall, the defending 2019 SUNYAC Champions will look to earn another automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with its third-straight conference title as their SUNYAC season was pushed to this spring.

Throughout the spring season any media member (both student and outside publications) can apply for a press pass through the Athletic Communications Office. If issued a press credential to attend a competition, the media member will be limited to the locations outside the playing field, must mask at all times and maintain social distancing from all parties while on New Paltz property. Decisions on issuance of a press pass will be made at the sole discretion of the Athletic Communications Director .

Post-game and pre-game virtual interviews must also be scheduled through the Athletic Communications Office.

For all media inquires regarding SUNY New Paltz Athletics, contact Hawks Athletic Communications Director Monica D'Ippolito at dippolim@newpaltz.edu. 


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