updated March 15, 8:01 p.m.
ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Sunday evening, March 15, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Board of Directors voted unanimously to cancel the remaining 2020 spring conference competitions and championships due to concerns of the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Additionally, the group has continued the suspension of all countable athletically related activities (CARA) for all 18 NSIC sports across its 16 member institutions. The conference will re-evaluate CARA on or before April 1.
"We are deeply saddened and I know it is incredibly disappointing to all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff who have worked tirelessly to prepare for their seasons. I am heartbroken by this news, but am supportive of the careful decisions that have been made as protecting the health and safety of our campus community and the general public is our highest priority," said
Regan McAthie, Director of Athletics at Concordia-St. Paul.
All NSIC contests are suspended immediately. The league will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and will make a determination on the remainder of the academic year later this month.
The women's lacrosse team, which competes as an affiliate member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC) learned that all contests were canceled for the 2020 season through May 31 on Friday morning from league headquarters.
Concordia's only other non-NSIC athletics program is esports, a member of NACE which will also be reevaluated prior to further competition.
Additionally, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors announced earlier in the day on Thursday that all NCAA championships for the winter and spring season have been canceled. The news from the NCAA put a conclusion on the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Birmingham, Alabama where Concordia had matched a program record with four individual participants earning their way to the national meet while setting a record by qualifying in five events. Three women, junior
Toni Canfall (60m & 200m), sophomore
Arika Robinson (high jump) and senior
Hannah Gustafson (weight throw) along with male participant senior
Benjamin Allen (mile).
Concordia University, St. Paul also made the decision to cancel face-to-face class on Friday, March 13, resuming with an online format on Monday, March 16 through the remainder of the spring term.
All campus-sponsored events, including lectures and fine and performing arts events, have been suspended until the end of the semester. CSP Honors Convocation and Research and Scholarship Symposium will be moved online. CSP will continue to evaluate the spring commencement ceremonies and will communicate further with those students.
Campus Ministry will continue during regular Chapel hours via Facebook Live. Student services will be available online.
The health and well-being of the CSP campus community is a main priority and CSP is grateful for the infrastructure to carry on its classes for the benefit of on-campus students.
