MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- Following extensive discussions and planning, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Council of Presidents/Chancellors supported a recommendation from the UMAC Council of Athletics Directors to suspend conference competition for Fall 2020 in the sports of men's and women's cross country and men's and women's golf and will pursue opportunities for potential competition for these sports in the spring, including for men's and women's golf the conference championships that will determine the Automatic Qualifiers for the NCAA Division III Championships held in May 2021. This recent development matches how the UMAC and North Central University (NCU) will proceed in men's and women's soccer and volleyball as well.
NCU remains focused on providing meaningful experiences for all student-athletes in the fall of 2020 which will include opportunities for practice, small-group training, skill development, strength and conditioning and leadership programming. The Rams will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate future opportunities for competition.
With the recent changes to requirements for competition from the NCAA Board of Governors and the recommendation for no fall competition from the NCAA Division III Administrative Council announced Thursday, Aug. 20, the governing councils in the UMAC determined it best to not proceed with fall conference competition or the conference championships.
Additionally, the Councils reversed a previous decision to allow optional conference competition in the fall segment for the sports of men's and women's tennis. Plans remain in place for a spring competitive season in men's and women's tennis.
UMAC conference and NCU decisions related to fall sports competition have been guided by state and local public health officials, the NCAA SSI recommendations/requirements and campus institutional policies. The health and safety of student-athletes, athletics personnel, and greater campus communities is of utmost importance.
The UMAC and NCU continue to monitor changing circumstances related to COVID-19. Decisions regarding winter sports including season structures and starting dates will be announced at a later date. Any further decisions for 2020-2021 made by conference governance groups will continue to be driven by available guidance from local and state health officials and the NCAA SSI and are subject to change.
Additional information related to the conference's decisions and impact on student-athlete eligibility, other compliance components and further details regarding fall competition can be found on the UMAC Frequently Asked Questions page. UMAC COVID-19 related updates – including institutional announcements and decisions – will continue to be provided when available and can be found on the UMAC COVID-19 Resource Page.
