Madison, NJ (July 24, 2020)- After thorough consideration of the current state of athletics due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the health and well-being of each campus and community, The Presidents of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) have made the difficult decision to suspend all intercollegiate competition for the Fall 2020 semester.
 
The MAC Presidents and athletic directors understand the role intercollegiate athletics plays in the lives of student-athletes and campus communities and is committed to working on alternative solutions that will provide competition and positive experiences for our fall student-athletes.
 
 MAC presidents, athletics directors and the MAC COVID-19 Advisory Group will continue to evaluate the athletics landscape throughout the 2020-21 academic year to address:

• Engaging fall, winter and spring sport student-athletes in the fall term with coaches following all institutional, local and national health and safety guidelines
• Shifting fall sport competitive seasons to the spring, insofar as possible
• Scheduling winter sports competition beginning in 2021
• Implementing league-wide and campus safety measures for practices and competitions when they do occur
• Developing league-wide and institutional personal and professional development programming

A Letter from the AD

Dear Devils Family,

My heart aches as I write to inform all of you that the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) announced their decision to suspend all intercollegiate competition for the upcoming fall semester. With the upward trends of COVID-19 cases across the country, it would be very difficult to safely compete this upcoming fall.  This decision was not easy; the MAC Presidents, MAC Director of Athletics, and FDU Athletic staff have been exploring options for a safe return to play for the past several months.  Ultimately, the health and well-being of our student-athletes, athletics staff, and our broader campus community has been and will continue to be our highest priority. 

FDU recognizes the significance of athletics and the role our student-athletes and coaches positively display on campus and in the community.  The Athletic Department is committed to developing creative measures to engage all of our student-athletes in the most meaningful manner for the upcoming fall semester, which will include skill development, small group activities, practice, strength & conditioning, and leadership opportunities.  These opportunities will come with the implementation of new protocols and procedures to continue to protect the safety and well-being of our student-athletes.   With President Capuano's full support, we are optimistic our student-athletes will return to the playing fields this fall.  

It is through hardship and adversity that defines you, thus I am confident this will add to the life lessons you have and will continue to learn.  As young adults, you have displayed resiliency and I am confident this bump in the road will only propel you to be better than ever.

I strongly encourage you to continue to be leaders by practicing social distancing, wearing your mask properly, and having good hygiene.  This is a trying time for all of us and I want to assure you that I, along with our staff, will stand beside you as your second family, as we navigate through these uncertain times.  I look forward to seeing you back on campus in the coming weeks as we start the fall semester. 

Horns Up,

Director of Athletics, Jenn Noon

Questions about the MAC's response not addressed in the FAQs can be directed to questions@gomacsports.com.
Any general questions you have regarding the current state of the MAC, a FAQ document is available here.