CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Hudson Valley Community College and the Department of Athletics has announced the Vikings will not conduct intercollegiate athletic competition or practices for the remainder of the 2020-21 academic year. The college and the Department of Athletics plan to offer all 20 varsity sports beginning in the Fall of 2021.
The difficult decision comes as the Capital Region continues to fight a global pandemic with an increase in positive COVID-19 cases nationally and throughout the state and tri-city area. The growing concern regionally, combined with additional logistical issues, make it very difficult to prepare student-athletes for a competitive sports season during the spring 2021 semester.
"Although the decision to cancel athletic competition for the remainder of the year is difficult and one we do not take lightly, we felt that this was the best decision out of an abundance of caution for our students and greater campus community," said Justin Hoyt, Director of Athletics. "With the increased rates in the Capital Region, we find it necessary and in the best interest of our students and campus community to do everything we can to limit the transmission rates."
The announcement to cancel the spring season now and prior to the start of the semester on Jan. 25, provides Hudson Valley student-athletes the ability to transfer, if they so choose, to another institution, where they can continue to participate in athletics this spring.
"We thought it was best to announce our decision immediately so we didn't prevent our students from having the ability to transfer into a new program to compete in the spring." Hoyt continued. "We will always support our student-athletes and not hinder their efforts to attain their goals, whether academic or athletic."
The decision on the spring semester comes after Hudson Valley Community College and a majority of the SUNY Community Colleges issued a joint statement canceling the "High-Risk" indoor sports, which included men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball in December.