The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Albertus Magnus to return to competition this winter
Albertus Magnus College announced on Tuesday the return to “limited intercollegiate competition” for its NCAA Division III winter sports.
The Falcons can compete in both men’s and women’s basketball, men’s ice hockey and women’s swimming and diving, the latter which will be conducted virtually. Student-athletes have returned to the New Haven campus for the spring semester.
“We want to give something to these kids who have been wanting to play,” Albertus Magnus athletic director Jim Abromaitis said. “I have to give our staff and medical people a lot of credit. They have all done a very good job putting the (COVID-19) protocols in.”
Abromaitis gave a “shout-out” to the other state Division III athletic directors for their commitment to try to bring back intercollegiate athletics.
“The other ADs around the state are all so committed to their kids,” Abromaitis said. “It is important for us at Albertus to get the kids to throw their uniforms on. It’s important to get as many games as we can in. Our commitment to the kids is to get something for them, an athletic experience. Hopefully, we are able to pull it off.”
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference — which Albertus resides in — canceled its season on Nov. 2 while the New England Hockey Conference did the same thing on Nov. 23.
Albertus men’s basketball coach Mitch Oliver said all of the athletes had to have a negative COVID-19 test upon returning to campus last week. His players have had both a PCR test and a rapid test. Once practice begins next week, Oliver said the basketball players will be tested three times per week.
“I’m very excited for the players. After being in quarantine for months, they now have the opportunity to get back on the court and play and for a chance to make a postseason tournament,” Oliver said. “We want to give them an opportunity to get back out on the court and experience practice with the hope of having an NCAA tournament. If that is the case, we should find out the next week.”
The fate of the NCAA Division III tournament is expected to be determined on Feb. 3.
Oliver said he has had conversations with Mitchell, St. Joseph, Coast Guard, Conn College, Trinity and Babson about playing home-and-home games on Fridays and Saturdays.
Albertus men’s hockey coach Kyle Wallack said games are scheduled with Babson, Castleton, Skidmore and Anna Maria, all multiple times, beginning on Feb. 12.
“The focus for all the schools is, ‘Let’s get these kids some games.’ If there is a tournament, it’s gravy.”
Wallack said the players were tested last Friday and will be tested again this coming Friday. The first day of practice is Saturday at the Ralph Walker Skating Rink in New Haven.
This is just the second year for the Falcons as a varsity men’s ice hockey program.