UPDATED 7/28/20

NJAC Statement of 7/28

Consistent with its Fall 2020 Restart Plan https://fall2020.tcnj.edu/. The College of New Jersey has canceled the Fall 2020 season for high-risk fall sports and for the fall segment of high-risk winter sports. This means that football, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, wrestling, and men’s and women’s basketball will not participate in intercollegiate competition for the fall season. The NJAC Statement of 7/28 added the suspension of ALL fall sports, including cross country and tennis.
 
TCNJ Athletics recognizes the significance of team building and skill development in all varsity sports. Consistent with NCAA Resocialization Guidelines and college policy, coaches are developing a return-to-play plan for each of our 20-sponsored varsity athletic programs. These plans will include meaningful and creative ways for teams to engage.
 
Below we describe the resocialization guidelines and protocol and the current status of fall 2020 athletics. Please note that sports resocialization plans are subject to change pending changes in health conditions and federal, state, and NCAA guidelines.  
 
Resocialization and Return to Play Planning
 
Return to play protocol under development will be consistent with NCAA and New Jersey guidelines for a phased return to activity. (Although both the NCAA and state use “phases” for restarting, the allowable activities vary; listed below are summaries of phases drawn from the NCAA resocialization principles, found at https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/core-principles-resocialization-collegiate-sport
 
TCNJ protocol will vary for high, medium and low risk sports. Moving from one phase to a higher phase requires successful implementation of the prior phase. Note that conditions may dictate moving from a higher to a lower phase. There are no fixed dates and timelines for any phase; rather, they are determined by the health environment and state guidelines. Note that there is currently low likelihood that state guidelines and conditions will permit entering phase 3 in the fall semester.  
 
Phase 1 – practice sessions will focus on individual skill work and conditioning, groups will be limited to groups of 10, social distancing will be adhered to, equipment sharing will not be permitted. 
 
Phase 2 – group practices may increase in size per current state guidelines, team drills may resume, limited equipment sharing may begin.
 
Phase 3 – large groups are permitted but should practice social distancing when possible, equipment sharing is permitted under strict cleaning and sanitizing guidelines, full practices may resume.
 
 
Will there be a fall season?
 
The NJAC Statement of 7/28 suspends all fall sports. All student-athletes will return to campus with the general student body. No student-athletes will return early. Team meetings will initially be held virtually and will proceed to in-person meetings only when authorized and consistent with campus and state guidelines.
 
High and medium risk sports (football, soccer, field hockey) will be permitted to conduct individual/small group workouts focused on conditioning and skill development starting with phase 1 resocialization. Coaches will continue to work with, mentor and guide their athletes throughout the fall semester. 
 
 
When will decisions be made about winter sports?
 
We are planning for winter sports to begin phase 1 resocialization in the fall semester, with variations for high-risk (wrestling), medium-risk (basketball) and low-risk sports (swimming, indoor track & field).
 
A decision about entering other phases and whether competition will return after winter break will be determined at a later date during the fall semester.
 
 
When will decisions be made about spring sports?
 
A decision about spring sports will be made prior to the start of the spring semester.  Limited fall skill workouts and conditioning for spring sports will be permitted following established resocialization guidelines with variations for medium-risk (lacrosse, baseball, softball) and low-risk sports (tennis, track & field).
 
 
Should I complete the required Athletic Training paperwork?
 
Yes. All athletes are required to complete all health forms, physicals and other paperwork to participate in any team workouts or practices.  An email was sent to new students in June with this information. Returners should complete their annual paperwork in the Magnus Health Portal.
 
 
Will student-athletes have access to the Athletic Training Room?
 
Yes. The Athletic Training Room will be open and operational but access and services will be limited to reduce the overall volume. Screening before entering, social distancing, masking and handwashing will be strictly enforced. Athletic Training Room plans are being finalized and protocols will be explained to student-athletes through mandatory team/Athletic Training meetings prior to participation.
 
 
Will athletic facilities (gym, locker rooms, field space, pool) be made available for student-athlete use?
 
Not all athletic spaces will be operational upon return to campus. Athletic facilities will be reopened pending state and college guidelines, with outdoor and large spaces opened before indoor and small spaces to reduce density and proximity. New protocol, including capacity limits and cleaning requirements, will vary by facility.
 
 
Will student-athletes have access to the Varsity Weight Room?
 
Use of the varsity weight room has not yet been determined. Because this is a smaller indoor space, you should expect that it will have strict restrictions if and when we open. We are developing plans for outdoor training sessions when possible.
 
 
Will a leave of absence be necessary to stay on track from an NCAA eligibility perspective?
No, a leave of absence is not necessary.  If a sport is not competing, a student-athlete is not using a season of eligibility.  Student-athletes have 10 full-time semesters to complete four years of eligibility in a sport.
 
 
What is the expectation of student-athletes during resocialization?
 
Students will receive training on Athletic Training protocols as well as sport specific resocialization guidelines. For continued participation, all student-athletes, coaches, staff and employees must adhere to the protocols established by TCNJ and the Athletic Department.
 
 
What if I have additional questions?
 
Additional questions can be directed to sport specific coaches. Those questions will be shared with the Athletic Administration and we will work to provide answers as they become available.