NELSONVILLE, Ohio—Fall sports at Hocking College and other junior colleges are shifting to the spring semester as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus.
Following the recommendations from the National Junior College Athletic Association Presidential Advisory Council and the NJCAA Board of Regents, the NJCAA announced its adjusted plan of action for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year on Monday, July 13.
“This is the decision I had been hoping for over the last few months,” Ken Hoffman, director of athletics for Hocking College, said. “Our number one concern is — and always will be — the health and welfare of our students, faculty, staff and community. This gives us the best opportunity to give our student-athletes a quality experience while keeping everyone as safe as possible during these days when coronavirus infections are spiking around the country. Perhaps we will even have a vaccine by spring semester, which would once again allow for attendance at athletic events without fear of spreading the virus.”
Hoffman said the NJCAA plan allows for 60 days of consecutive practice in the fall for Hocking College’s football, volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. The teams will have scrimmages, but Hoffman said those would all be intra-squad games and not against other schools.
Hocking College’s other sports — archery, cheerleading, equestrian, eSports — will practice as usual. Hoffman said their competitions would be determined on a case-by-case basis, with most of them taking place in the spring.
Volleyball will be limited to 21 matches, basketball to 22 games and football to eight games.
Student-athletes will be notified of the changes by their coach and contact their coach or the Athletics Department staff if they have any questions. You can contact the athletics department at 740-753-7174.