The Colonial States Athletic Conference Board of Directors announced Friday that all athletic activity was being suspended for three weeks, from that point through April 3.
Keystone College in LaPlume and Clarks Summit University, both members of the CSAC, had begun spring sports competition.
All CSAC schools are Division III members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which has already decided to cancel all championship competition this spring. The NCAA is taking steps to allow for additional eligibility for spring college athletes who miss out on competing this season.
The CSAC suspension of athletics was just one of the many developments as the nation tries to control the spread of the coronavirus.
If the colleges return to any competition this spring, it will be restricted to the conference or local level. With each state of the emergency declaration and restriction imposed on group activities, it appears to become less likely that there will be time to resume college athletics in this academic year.
According to Friday’s CSAC release out of the conference offices in Rosemont, “The CSAC administration is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 (the coronavirus) and its impact on member institution campus operations. The health and safety of CSAC student-athletes and their campus communities are of paramount importance. The CSAC, along with its Board of Directors, shall assess, discuss and implement further action as needed.”
Keystone had earlier extended Spring Break to keep students out of class and off campus this week. Dormitories are closed until at least Sunday.