From Case Western Reserve University Athletics
Case Western Reserve University announced on Tuesday afternoon that its winter varsity sports (men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, men's and women's swimming & diving, and wrestling) will not be participating in intercollegiate competition this season.
"After consultation with health experts and university leadership, we have also determined that winter sport varsity and club athletic competition cannot take place safely this winter sport season," said Amy Backus, the James C. Wyant Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education at CWRU in an e-mail to student-athletes on Tuesday. "The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff is the top priority driving this decision. As we have done in the fall, we anticipate that winter sport student-athletes will be able to practice and condition with their coaches in a controlled and safe environment when they return for the spring semester."
The announcement follows a decision announced earlier in the day by the University Athletic Association, cancelling competition in winter sports hosted by the league.
Prior to today's decision, CWRU initially made the announcement to cancel competition for fall sports on July 8, and extended the cancellation on August 3 to include all sports through the end of the calendar year.
"We know that intercollegiate competition is an essential part of your undergraduate experience at CWRU," continued Backus in her e-mail. "We as coaches and administrators understand how very disappointing this news is and how much you have sacrificed to prepare for your upcoming seasons. We too, wish things were different and that we could all be together cheering you on to many successes."
An updated questions and answers section of athletics.case.edu will be made available shortly for student-athletes.
Read more about CWRU's response to COVID-19 on the University's Return to Campus website. The University has also compiled a list of frequently asked questions and campus communications regarding COVID-19.