University of St. Thomas Athletics
Photo by: University of St. Thomas
MIAC Presidents Approve Framework for Fall and Spring Sport Competition
3/1/2021 3:20:00 PM | Athletics
The MIAC Presidents' Council on Wednesday announced the approval of a framework to allow both 2020 fall sports and 2021 spring sports to compete this spring semester with a limited window of team contests.
The framework was developed over months of diligent work by the MIAC Presidents' Council, Athletic Directors' Council, Athletic Trainers and COVID-19 Working Group. As part of this framework, the MIAC is planning for a full spring-sport season. Soccer and volleyball will compete in a condensed conference schedule, while cross country and football will have the autonomy to schedule up to four contests as each institution sees fit. Here is an overview of these seasons:
No spectators will be permitted when a contest is conducted at an on-campus indoor facility (including domes). When a contest is conducted at an off-campus indoor facility and a MIAC team is designated as the host, spectators are limited to remaining outside of the playing area, contingent upon the facility and campus spectator policies. Once competition is able to move outdoors, each MIAC institution will create its own policy regarding spectator attendance, in accordance with MDH and campus protocol. More information will be communicated as it becomes available.
For more information, please view the complete MIAC news release.
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Additional highlights from the announcement are below:
Baseball
The MIAC baseball season will begin an expanded 12-round conference season on Friday, April 2 with mid-week and Saturday play dates set for doubleheaders and Sunday play dates designated for single nine-inning games. Teams will play 25 regular-season games against MIAC opponents instead of 20, and most will play a best of three series to play into the six-team playoffs. Non-conference play can start this weekend.
Softball
The MIAC softball season is scheduled to begin as planned with conference doubleheaders scheduled to start on Saturday, April 3. The 2021 MIAC Softball Playoffs will move back one week to May 13-16, in accordance with the NCAA Tournament shifting back one week as well. The MIAC Softball Playoffs will include six teams this season.
Tennis
The MIAC men's and women's tennis seasons are set to run from March 5 through May 2. Matches will be scheduled at the discretion of each participating institution. The five-team MIAC Men's Tennis Playoffs will take place May 4, 6, and 8, while the six-team MIAC Women's Tennis Playoffs are set for May 5, 7, and 8. The high seed will host each postseason match.
Golf
MIAC men's and women's golf teams will return to competition for the first time since the fall of 2019. The 2020-21 MIAC Golf Championships will be hosted April 30 through May 2 at Emerald Greens in Hastings, Minn.
Outdoor Track and Field
MIAC men's and women's outdoor track & field teams will transition outdoors as soon as Minnesota weather allows for it. The MIAC Multi-Event Championships are set to take place on May 7-8, while the full outdoor track & field conference championships will take place the following weekend on May 14-15. Hosts for these events are yet to be determined.
Cross Country
Competition for MIAC men's and women's cross country teams may begin March 5 and continue through May 15. Scheduling is at the discretion of each institution, with teams allotted a maximum of four dates of competition this spring. All teams in competition must follow NCAA health and safety standards regarding testing of student-athletes and coaches and wear a mask during competition in order for a MIAC team to participate. There will not be a MIAC Cross Country Championship meet this spring.
Football
MIAC football teams may schedule contests at the discretion of each participating institution between the dates of March 5 and May 15. There will be no conference schedule for football this spring and no conference champion will be crowned. MIAC Football teams are permitted a maximum of four competitions, including scrimmages, exhibitions, and games.
Soccer
The MIAC men's and women's soccer schedule for spring will begin March 5 and run through May 15. Teams are permitted a maximum of eight contests with men's soccer teams playing five conference games and women's soccer teams playing six conference games. Conference games are set to begin on April 6 for women's teams and April 8 for men's teams. A program may opt out of the full conference schedule. If any team opts out, the opponents may elect to secure replacement contests. There will be no conference champion or playoffs in soccer this spring.
Volleyball
The MIAC volleyball schedule for spring will begin March 5 and run through May 15. Teams are permitted a maximum of nine dates of competition. The six-match conference slate is set to begin on March 31 and will continue each Wednesday night through May 5. A program may opt out of the full conference schedule. If any team opts out, the opponents may elect to secure replacement contest(s). There will be no conference champion or playoffs in volleyball this spring.
The framework was developed over months of diligent work by the MIAC Presidents' Council, Athletic Directors' Council, Athletic Trainers and COVID-19 Working Group. As part of this framework, the MIAC is planning for a full spring-sport season. Soccer and volleyball will compete in a condensed conference schedule, while cross country and football will have the autonomy to schedule up to four contests as each institution sees fit. Here is an overview of these seasons:
- Baseball, softball, men's tennis and women's tennis will play a conference regular-season schedule as well as an MIAC playoff tournament, thus both a regular-season and playoff champion will be crowned.
- Men's golf, women's golf, men's outdoor track and field and women's outdoor track and field will schedule regular-season competitions at each institution's discretion, then end the season with a championship event.
- Volleyball, men's soccer, and women's soccer will each play an abbreviated conference regular-season schedule with no champion designated or awards presented for these three sports.
- Cross country and football are allowed to compete, but that competition will be scheduled at the discretion of each institution.
No spectators will be permitted when a contest is conducted at an on-campus indoor facility (including domes). When a contest is conducted at an off-campus indoor facility and a MIAC team is designated as the host, spectators are limited to remaining outside of the playing area, contingent upon the facility and campus spectator policies. Once competition is able to move outdoors, each MIAC institution will create its own policy regarding spectator attendance, in accordance with MDH and campus protocol. More information will be communicated as it becomes available.
For more information, please view the complete MIAC news release.
--
Additional highlights from the announcement are below:
Baseball
The MIAC baseball season will begin an expanded 12-round conference season on Friday, April 2 with mid-week and Saturday play dates set for doubleheaders and Sunday play dates designated for single nine-inning games. Teams will play 25 regular-season games against MIAC opponents instead of 20, and most will play a best of three series to play into the six-team playoffs. Non-conference play can start this weekend.
Softball
The MIAC softball season is scheduled to begin as planned with conference doubleheaders scheduled to start on Saturday, April 3. The 2021 MIAC Softball Playoffs will move back one week to May 13-16, in accordance with the NCAA Tournament shifting back one week as well. The MIAC Softball Playoffs will include six teams this season.
Tennis
The MIAC men's and women's tennis seasons are set to run from March 5 through May 2. Matches will be scheduled at the discretion of each participating institution. The five-team MIAC Men's Tennis Playoffs will take place May 4, 6, and 8, while the six-team MIAC Women's Tennis Playoffs are set for May 5, 7, and 8. The high seed will host each postseason match.
Golf
MIAC men's and women's golf teams will return to competition for the first time since the fall of 2019. The 2020-21 MIAC Golf Championships will be hosted April 30 through May 2 at Emerald Greens in Hastings, Minn.
Outdoor Track and Field
MIAC men's and women's outdoor track & field teams will transition outdoors as soon as Minnesota weather allows for it. The MIAC Multi-Event Championships are set to take place on May 7-8, while the full outdoor track & field conference championships will take place the following weekend on May 14-15. Hosts for these events are yet to be determined.
Cross Country
Competition for MIAC men's and women's cross country teams may begin March 5 and continue through May 15. Scheduling is at the discretion of each institution, with teams allotted a maximum of four dates of competition this spring. All teams in competition must follow NCAA health and safety standards regarding testing of student-athletes and coaches and wear a mask during competition in order for a MIAC team to participate. There will not be a MIAC Cross Country Championship meet this spring.
Football
MIAC football teams may schedule contests at the discretion of each participating institution between the dates of March 5 and May 15. There will be no conference schedule for football this spring and no conference champion will be crowned. MIAC Football teams are permitted a maximum of four competitions, including scrimmages, exhibitions, and games.
Soccer
The MIAC men's and women's soccer schedule for spring will begin March 5 and run through May 15. Teams are permitted a maximum of eight contests with men's soccer teams playing five conference games and women's soccer teams playing six conference games. Conference games are set to begin on April 6 for women's teams and April 8 for men's teams. A program may opt out of the full conference schedule. If any team opts out, the opponents may elect to secure replacement contests. There will be no conference champion or playoffs in soccer this spring.
Volleyball
The MIAC volleyball schedule for spring will begin March 5 and run through May 15. Teams are permitted a maximum of nine dates of competition. The six-match conference slate is set to begin on March 31 and will continue each Wednesday night through May 5. A program may opt out of the full conference schedule. If any team opts out, the opponents may elect to secure replacement contest(s). There will be no conference champion or playoffs in volleyball this spring.
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