Submitted by Centralia College
The Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) has released Return-to-Play Guidelines for the 2020-21 academic year. This comprehensive plan includes health and safety protocol recommendations for member colleges to implement for practice, competition, and championships events.
At Centralia College and throughout the conference, much work is yet to be done around these new guidelines. State and regional coaches and athletic departments will be meeting over the next few weeks to set schedules and establish protocols for their respective teams.
“This is great news,” said CC Athletic Director Bob Peters. “There are still a lot of unknowns, but this gives us some guidelines to follow and helps us begin having the conversations we need to have to get back to playing.”
According to the modified calendar released by NWAC, CC basketball could start as early as mid-January. Soccer and golf could start in early February. Baseball and softball could start in mid-February. Volleyball could start in late February. For more information on the Sports Calendar view: 2020-2021 Sports Calendar.
According to NWAC Executive Director, Marco Azurdia, “We have been thoughtful, comprehensive, flexible, and listened to our constituents. It is time to move forward. The plan pushed the conversations with our member college administrators, thus leading to the Executive Board’s decision. We have said from the beginning that flexibility, creativity, adaptability, and patience are essential to the success of our return to play. NWAC will continue to follow the guidance and direction of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local and state health agencies, and member college presidents. Should conditions dictate a change from these guidelines, we have contingencies in place that will help us address NWAC sports. As additional information becomes available we will look to update our plans and strategies.”
For more information on the NWAC Return-to-Play Guidelines and/or the NWAC Health and Safety protocols please visit the NWAC website at https://nwacsports.com/COVID19 or https://nwacsports.com/SportsMedicine.
