Update on COVID-19 and its Impact on UB Athletics
3/12/2020 6:07:00 PM | General
BUFFALO, NY – In collaboration with the Mid-American Conference and University at Buffalo administration, effective immediately, UB Athletics will cancel all spring sports in 2020, Athletic Director Mark Alnutt announced on Thursday.
The decision was made by the MAC in consultation with the MAC Council of Presidents and Council of Directors of Athletics and followed the NCAA's announcement that it was cancelling all NCAA Championships for the remainder of the year.
"During this unprecedented health crisis that continues to evolve daily, we fully support the decision made today by the Mid-American Conference and the NCAA," Alnutt said. "While we are disappointed for our student-athletes, coaches and staff who have worked diligently to prepare this spring and have had their seasons cut short, their health, safety and well-being will always be our top priority."
The Mid-American Conference also announced that the following revised policies will be implemented:
• The cancellation of the MAC Women's Gymnastics Championship, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 21st on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich.
• Cancel regular season and championship competition, and non-traditional season competition, for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year.
• Suspend formal and organized practices until further notice.
• Suspend off-campus recruiting activities and official and unofficial visits. The only permissible recruiting will be written and electronic communication to include letters, emails, text messages and phone calls, in compliance with existing NCAA legislation.
The department is currently working to assure all current teams and student-athletes on the road for competition will return as soon as possible.
The decision was made by the MAC in consultation with the MAC Council of Presidents and Council of Directors of Athletics and followed the NCAA's announcement that it was cancelling all NCAA Championships for the remainder of the year.
"During this unprecedented health crisis that continues to evolve daily, we fully support the decision made today by the Mid-American Conference and the NCAA," Alnutt said. "While we are disappointed for our student-athletes, coaches and staff who have worked diligently to prepare this spring and have had their seasons cut short, their health, safety and well-being will always be our top priority."
The Mid-American Conference also announced that the following revised policies will be implemented:
• The cancellation of the MAC Women's Gymnastics Championship, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 21st on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich.
• Cancel regular season and championship competition, and non-traditional season competition, for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year.
• Suspend formal and organized practices until further notice.
• Suspend off-campus recruiting activities and official and unofficial visits. The only permissible recruiting will be written and electronic communication to include letters, emails, text messages and phone calls, in compliance with existing NCAA legislation.
The department is currently working to assure all current teams and student-athletes on the road for competition will return as soon as possible.
UB Athletics Current Operational Policy FAQ
Updated as of 3/20/20
Is the University at Buffalo Athletics Department still open?
UB Athletics is currently still open and operating as normal from an administrative operations perspective with typical business hours.
Are athletic competitions still being conducted?
All intercollegiate athletic competitions have been canceled for the remainder of the academic year.
Are student-athletes required to return to campus following spring break?
While student-athletes are encouraged to return to campus in order to have access to the available academic, health and wellness resources; students are not required to return as the University has moved to a distance-learning environment for the remainder of the semester.
Are teams still practicing?
All mandatory organized team activities are currently suspended.
Are prospective student-athletes still able to visit campus?
Currently all Official and Unofficial visits related to Athletics have been suspended.
As a student-athlete, am I still able to use UB Athletics facilities to work out on my own?
Yes a student-athlete will have access to Athletics facilities which will have limited hours during the spring break period. The use of facilities for voluntary workouts will be allowed, but facility hours are still being determined
If I am a spring sport student-athlete, how does this impact my eligibility?
The NCAA is currently exploring the impact of this disruption on eligibility and many other topics and will provide additional guidance as decisions are made.
Can coaches continue their normal recruiting activities?
No, the NCAA has mandated a recruiting "dead period" until April 15th.
Can I still sign an athletic scholarship with UB for Fall 2020?
Yes, but not at this time, as the NCAA has restricted institutions from issuing any athletic scholarships until April 15th.
I am not comfortable handling all of my classes online. What are my options?
Please refer all academic questions to your team academic advisor. The NCAA is reviewing academic eligibility scenarios and we will have more information shortly.
I understand that as an F-1 or J-1 student, I may not be enrolled in only online classes during the semester. Will this affect my immigrations status?
The International Student Services office has received guidance from the government that they intend to be flexible with temporary adaptations to classes. Provided international students can continue to make normal progress in a full course of study as required by federal regulations, students' legal immigration status is not in jeopardy. Please plan to participate in your classes in the format in which they are offered when they resume on Monday, March 23rd.
Since all my classes will be through distance education, can I return to my home country to complete the semester?
ISS recommends students delay decisions regarding travel until they are fully aware of the requirements in their courses as they relate to the new online format. Some academic activities, such as labs, may continue in a limited capacity. If you choose to leave the U.S. as you continue your spring semester online courses remotely, please closely monitor the entry requirements related to COVID-19 for your destination country abroad. *PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ISSS IS THE BEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION REGARDING ALL STUDENT VISA ISSUES. EACH STUDENT'S VISA STATUS AND TRAVEL STATUS IS UNIQUE AND CONSULTATION SHOULD ONLY BE DONE WITH THE ISSS OFFICE.
Will campus remain open for the rest of the semester?
Yes, at this point, all campus services are operating, including campus dining and housing. Spring break will have limited food options, so be sure to check what facilities are open online https://myubcard.com/recess?date=1584196053
Are recreation facilities open?
Due to the current state of our surrounding communities, it has been decided that UB Recreation will close down all facilities and services indefinitely. This closure includes all services and activities that fall under UB Recreation which are intramurals, group fitness, open gym, fitness center, jogging track, racquetball courts, aquatics, and the Bulls Team Shop. Per Gov. Cuomo's mandate, the fitness center will remain closed until further notice from the state.More information can be found here.
QUICK LINKS
Is the University at Buffalo Athletics Department still open?
UB Athletics is currently still open and operating as normal from an administrative operations perspective with typical business hours.
Are athletic competitions still being conducted?
All intercollegiate athletic competitions have been canceled for the remainder of the academic year.
Are student-athletes required to return to campus following spring break?
While student-athletes are encouraged to return to campus in order to have access to the available academic, health and wellness resources; students are not required to return as the University has moved to a distance-learning environment for the remainder of the semester.
Are teams still practicing?
All mandatory organized team activities are currently suspended.
Are prospective student-athletes still able to visit campus?
Currently all Official and Unofficial visits related to Athletics have been suspended.
As a student-athlete, am I still able to use UB Athletics facilities to work out on my own?
Yes a student-athlete will have access to Athletics facilities which will have limited hours during the spring break period. The use of facilities for voluntary workouts will be allowed, but facility hours are still being determined
If I am a spring sport student-athlete, how does this impact my eligibility?
The NCAA is currently exploring the impact of this disruption on eligibility and many other topics and will provide additional guidance as decisions are made.
Can coaches continue their normal recruiting activities?
No, the NCAA has mandated a recruiting "dead period" until April 15th.
Can I still sign an athletic scholarship with UB for Fall 2020?
Yes, but not at this time, as the NCAA has restricted institutions from issuing any athletic scholarships until April 15th.
I am not comfortable handling all of my classes online. What are my options?
Please refer all academic questions to your team academic advisor. The NCAA is reviewing academic eligibility scenarios and we will have more information shortly.
I understand that as an F-1 or J-1 student, I may not be enrolled in only online classes during the semester. Will this affect my immigrations status?
The International Student Services office has received guidance from the government that they intend to be flexible with temporary adaptations to classes. Provided international students can continue to make normal progress in a full course of study as required by federal regulations, students' legal immigration status is not in jeopardy. Please plan to participate in your classes in the format in which they are offered when they resume on Monday, March 23rd.
Since all my classes will be through distance education, can I return to my home country to complete the semester?
ISS recommends students delay decisions regarding travel until they are fully aware of the requirements in their courses as they relate to the new online format. Some academic activities, such as labs, may continue in a limited capacity. If you choose to leave the U.S. as you continue your spring semester online courses remotely, please closely monitor the entry requirements related to COVID-19 for your destination country abroad. *PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ISSS IS THE BEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION REGARDING ALL STUDENT VISA ISSUES. EACH STUDENT'S VISA STATUS AND TRAVEL STATUS IS UNIQUE AND CONSULTATION SHOULD ONLY BE DONE WITH THE ISSS OFFICE.
Will campus remain open for the rest of the semester?
Yes, at this point, all campus services are operating, including campus dining and housing. Spring break will have limited food options, so be sure to check what facilities are open online https://myubcard.com/recess?date=1584196053
Are recreation facilities open?
Due to the current state of our surrounding communities, it has been decided that UB Recreation will close down all facilities and services indefinitely. This closure includes all services and activities that fall under UB Recreation which are intramurals, group fitness, open gym, fitness center, jogging track, racquetball courts, aquatics, and the Bulls Team Shop. Per Gov. Cuomo's mandate, the fitness center will remain closed until further notice from the state.More information can be found here.
QUICK LINKS
- UB Coronavirus Information Site: https://www.buffalo.edu/coronavirus/dashboard.html
- NCAA Coronavirus Information Site: http://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/coronavirus-covid-19
- Erie County Coronavirus Information Site: http://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=coronavirus
Big weight, big reps, and a BIG donation for the Bulls to kick off Giving Day! 💪
Wednesday, April 15
Mark Alnutt Giving Day Challenge
Tuesday, April 14
UB Softball vs. Miami (4/4) @ 12pm
Sunday, April 05
UB Softball vs. Miami doubleheader (4/3) @ 1:30pm
Friday, April 03
