MAAC cancels fall sports

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has canceled its fall sports schedule as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to rage throughout the country, although the 11-member Northeast-based league is not ruling out the possibility of those sports being added to the spring calendar.

The conference’s Council of Presidents made the announcement on Monday afternoon after schools were afforded to opportunity to inform their coaches and student-athletes.

“The MAAC Council of Presidents and the Committee on Athletic Administration recognizes the disappointment that will undoubtedly be felt by student-athletes, fans, and supporters impacted by the cancellation of fall sports competition,” the Council said in a statement. “It was clear during this process that the MAAC membership must focus its review on appropriate measures to ensure the health, safety and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and the campus community which is the primary responsibility of its member institutions.”

The decision impacts men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country and women’s volleyball.

“It’s the right decision,” Rider men’s soccer coach Charlie Inverso said. “There’s a lot of optimism regarding playing in the spring and that would be the sensible and logical path to take.”

Inverso said the decision to pull the plug on fall sports was not unexpected, especially after the Ivy League, Patriot League and America East made similar decision. Many of the bigger power conferences — including the Big Ten, Big East and Pac-12 — have announced conference-only fall schedules. The NCAA Board of Governors punted on a decision about fall championships late last week.

Commissioner Rich Ensor said the MAAC Executive Committee will explore the goal of a conference-only season for those sports in the spring of 2021.