Dear Nor'easter Student-Athletes,

It is certainly a tremendous disappointment that UNE made the decision to suspend athletics competition for the fall 2020 semester on July 17. As always, the health and safety of our student-athletes is paramount and completely guided this decision, which our entire athletics staff recognizes as necessary, but with heavy hearts.

Therefore, the upcoming semester on campus will look different, with only health-compliant practices and training opportunities. If public health conditions improve to a point where competition becomes a possibility, we will explore all competitive opportunities for all fall, winter, and spring season sports in the spring semester, beginning as early as January 1, 2021.

With that said, we remain fully committed to offering as robust a student-athlete experience as possible. We know that the interactions between student-athletes and their teammates, coaches, athletic trainers, strength & conditioning coaches, and administrators provide value well beyond just the competitions. Our primary focus is to preserve as much normalcy as we can, within the health and safety parameters that set student-athlete well-being as the highest priority.

One step to ensuring a meaningful experience has just recently occurred, as the NCAA will allow us to either define a sport season in weeks (normal standard) or in days. By operating in days, it gives us greater flexibility to consistently engage and support the student-athletes throughout the on-campus semester with many of the components of the typical experience. Even with the restrictions, we are confident that we can use this enhancement to our advantage.

Collegiate athletics remains an optional activity, and the University recognizes the value in a student's personal choice that is in their best interest. As such, the University will fully support the decision of any student-athlete to opt out of athletics participation.

We all look forward to seeing you back on campus, and hope for a return to the competition we all value at an appropriate time.

Please see below as we have addressed some Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to this unique situation. This page will be updated as it becomes necessary.
 

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UNE Onward: Make sure to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the UNE Onward plan, which covers all topics pertaining to the entire campus community.

What is the status of the preseason for fall sports?
Preseason for fall sports has been canceled, so all student-athletes will return to campus with the general student population. In the near future, more information will be communicated by the Office of Housing & Residential/Commuter Life shortly, and any questions should be directed to housing-office@une.edu.

What will be the procedure for winter break?
Since winter sport competition is suspended for the fall semester, all student-athletes will leave campus at the same time as the general student population in November.

Does this change the process of required pre-participation forms and documentation?
No, the checklist remains the same, as all student-athletes are required to complete the necessary NCAA Compliance / Athletic Training / Sports Information elements prior to engaging in sport-related activities.

What team activities will be available during the fall semester?
All teams will be allowed to operate within the guidelines from the relevant organizations: Maine executive orders, state and federal Center for Disease Control (CDC), UNE policies, the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA), and the NCAA Resocialization of Collegiate Sport recommendations.

The details of appropriate practice and training opportunities are currently being planned by the coaches, strength & conditioning, and athletics staff.

What Athletic Training access will be available during the fall semester?
The standard of care will remain the same. New safety procedures will be implemented to include verification of daily symptom screenings and temperature checks. The capacity of the AT Room will be reduced to comply with distancing practices.

Would I use a season of eligibility for competing in a shortened competition schedule?
Per current NCAA rules, student-athletes do not use a season of eligibility if their team does not compete during the traditional sports season. Therefore, no UNE student-athlete will use a season of eligibility during the fall semester.

The NCAA is continually reviewing eligibility guidelines for all varsity sports. UNE is monitoring these developments and will provide updates and education as available. Two notable waivers have already been approved providing guidance regarding eligibility concerns for teams who play a limited number of contests, or whose seasons end prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The NCAA has issued a blanket waiver The blanket waiver states that student-athletes will not be charged with participation for the 2020-21 season if their team can complete only 50% or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19. The NCAA also approved a second blanket waiver that permits student-athletes to receive a two-semester/three-quarter extension of eligibility if the student-athlete is unable to participate in their sport during the 2020-21 academic year due to the impact of COVID-19 or if the student-athlete's team completed 50% or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to COVID-19.

Can I compete in during the 2021 Spring semester while enrolled in fewer than 12 credits (full-time status)?
In general, student-athletes need to be enrolled in 12 or more credits to be eligible to practice and compete at UNE. The NCAA does have a by-law exception permitting a student-athlete to practice and compete while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is enrolled in the final semester of the baccalaureate or graduate program and the course or courses in which the student is enrolled (for credit) are required to complete degree requirements.

If this is something you may wish to pursue, please contact Associate Director of Athletics Curt Smyth (csmyth@une.edu) to discuss the specifics of your situation.

What about Club Sport activities?
Similar to varsity sports, all Club Sport competition in the fall semester has been suspended. Please contact Assistant Director of Athletics Patty Williams (pwilliams2@une.edu) with any questions regarding Club Sports.