A Message from Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports, Susan Bassett:

The Ithaca College Department of Athletics and Recreational Sports has just received the message from President Collado concerning the plans for the fall semester to begin on-campus instruction on Monday October 5, 2020. We are fortunate to have a definitive date to start the academic year, in person, on campus. Many details have yet to be determined. Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports are integral to our campus culture and a key part the of IC student experience. It is our goal to normalize as many aspects of student life, to the extent possible, as soon as possible. The safety and well-being of everyone involved is our priority. I am focused on intercollegiate athletics and recreational sports but also serving on two campus-wide task forces working on the details of reopening the campus. We are fully engaged in the complex process of understanding how athletics can be safely executed in the context of this public health crisis.
                                                               
Key Points in the Planning Process to re-engage athletics:

• The health, safety and well-being of our students, coaches and staff along with the Ithaca College community are our primary concern and will guide all decisions regarding re-engaging athletics.
• Team Physician, Dr. Andy Getzin, Head Athletics Trainer, Mike Matheny, Health Center Medical Director, Dr. Ellyn Sellers-Selin, Susan Bassett, Will Rothermel, Erienne Roberts are meeting weekly to determine IC's return to play procedures. The group is monitoring NCAA, NATA, Liberty League, Health Department, State of New York and other governing bodies' guidance on re-engaging athletics.  This group will include coaches and student-athletes later in the process.
• Recreational Sports Staff will develop a plan and strategy based on NIRSA Guidelines and best practices for fitness facilities. Sean Reilley will lead this effort. Vic Brown and others will participate.
• Liberty League directors of athletics are meeting weekly to review and develop guidelines for return to play for competitive sports.
• The national landscape is evolving rapidly and we are attuned to all details.
• There is no definitive plan in place at this time for the conduct of intercollegiate athletics but it is our goal to determine a strategy to allow participation.  At this point, I cannot provide an exact timetable for this determination but we are fully engaged and will work as efficiently as possible.
• The College's next steps are deeply informed by the State of New York and the Governor's guidelines and we will continue to work closely with community partners as the Ithaca area reopens.

 
Critical Planning Documents:
 
https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/core-principles-resocialization-collegiate-sport
 
https://athletics.ithaca.edu/documents/2020/5/18/icsm_return_to_campus_packet_covid19.pdf
 
Please be assured that we will work tirelessly to determine a plan that will allow re-engagement of athletics as soon as reasonably possible with everyone's best interest in mind.
 
We will provide regular communication as plans evolve.
 
Stay safe and be well.