NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) announced that all conference-sponsored competition and championships for the 2020-21 winter season have been canceled. The winter sports affected include men's and women's basketball, and women's swimming & diving.
Despite the GNAC cancelling conference competition and tournaments due to the ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, Albertus Magnus Athletics is committed to providing a positive experience for all 15 varsity teams that are consistent with federal and state public health recommendations, the NCAA, and institutional guidelines. Albertus' winter teams will have the opportunity to pursue non-conference athletic intercollegiate competition.
Over the course of the fall semester, the athletic teams at Albertus Magnus have participated in a variety of different activities such as cohort practices, community service projects, and team building exercises.
Student-athletes have been participating in cohort practices that have been designed for skill development. These cohorts consist of no more than six student-athletes from the same team for a maximum of six hours per week and more than two hours per day. The athletic cohorts can also participate in strength and conditioning activities that are overseen by the Athletic Training staff.
In addition to the athletic activities, the athletes also participate in team-building exercises – COVID public service announcements, virtual guest speakers, trivia night, paint night, virtual pumpkin carving, virtual scavenger hunts – led by coaches.
Finally, in conjunction with the college's four pillars (community, service, prayer, study), teams have chosen to participate in community service projects to help the betterment of their communities. These projects range from community clean-up and renewal to in-person, socially distanced and/or virtual athletic lessons to written letters of appreciation and gratitude to the front-line workers.
No decision has been made at this time from the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) in regards to the men's ice hockey 2020-21 season.
The status of spring sports (men's and women's lacrosse; baseball, softball and men's tennis) has not yet been determined and an announcement will be made in the coming months in coordination with the NCAA and the GNAC. Fans, parents, and student-athletes are encouraged to follow updates regarding the 2020-21 academic year on the college's main and athletics websites as well on all Albertus social media platforms.
LINK: GNAC's Official Statement Regarding Winter Competition
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About Albertus Magnus College
Albertus Magnus College, founded in 1925, is a Catholic College in the Dominican tradition. It is recognized by external rankings such as US News & World Report Best Colleges, Money Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education. The College has an enrollment of 1,500 students in its traditional undergraduate program, accelerated adult degree programs, and 12 graduate programs, including a new Master of Public Administration and the only Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling program in Connecticut. In the last year, the College received two significant Federal grants in support of student success and well-being: a $300,000 grant from the Department of Justice and a $1.9 million Title III grant from the Department of Education.
