ALLENTOWN, Pa. (July 21, 2020) - The Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Board of Directors has announced today that the conference shall suspend all intercollegiate competition for the fall 2020 season. A final decision on the possibility of future intercollegiate competition for fall sports, including the possibility of conducting fall intercollegiate competition in spring 2021, as well as a plan for intercollegiate competition for winter sports, will be made by the end of September. Cedar Crest College Falcon Athletics teams affected by the decision include Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer and Volleyball.

The CSAC Board of Directors and other administrative groups have worked tirelessly in collaboration with the conference office staff over the past weeks and months to develop multiple potential scenarios for intercollegiate competition in the fall while being mindful of health and safety guidelines from the NCAA, each member's campus reopening plans, and the landscape of college athletics. This difficult decision was made with careful deliberation and strategic assessment of the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Student safety is our top priority," said Elizabeth M. Meade, PhD, president of Cedar Crest College. "I know that our athletes and coaching staff were eager to build on the competitive success of previous seasons, so we are committed to giving our fall sport athletes a robust experience that will prepare them for success in the future."

Allen G. Snook Jr., DHSc, director of athletics at Cedar Crest stated, "Athletics at Cedar Crest College remains an important and vital part of the co-curricular experience for our students. While we may not be competing this fall, the athletics department will seek creative ways to provide meaningful opportunities this upcoming academic year by creating an environment for our student athletes that promotes teamwork, campus competition, leadership and mental discipline. We will explore options for us to gather together safely for training sessions, weight training sessions and mental skill development, all while enhancing leadership skills."

"The connection that comes from being a part of a team is a real part of our development and as long as we can do it safely, we will," Snook added.

The conference and its administration will continue to explore safe training and intra-campus practice opportunities for its member institutions while being mindful of the rapidly-changing local, regional and national conditions. All updates will be posted on the Cedar Crest College Athletics website and social media platforms.

For any media inquiries, please contact the Director of Athletic Communications, L.J. Smith, at Leroy.Smith@cedarcrest.edu.