(photo obtained from the Skidmore Athletics’ website)
In July 2020, Skidmore College put out an athletics update stating that while Fall sports competitions were cancelled, teams may still practice under the rules and regulations put out by New York State and the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). But what was the conversation and process like to reach this decision? And what would this mean for varsity athletics, as well as usage of the facilities? To provide clarity to the situation, Gail Cummings-Danson, Director of Athletics, answers some of these questions.
For context, most of Skidmore’s varsity athletic teams are in the Liberty League, with the exception of Ice Hockey and Riding, which are in the New England Hockey Conference and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, respectively. This meant navigating between the regulations New York State was putting out and what the NCAA was saying. Because of this, Cummings-Danson describes how difficult the process was to reach a solid and safe protocol.
“We started in June and just kept going and going. The NCAA was coming out with one set of guidelines, and NY state had--still in theory--not come out with collegiate guidelines. As soon as you thought you were set with the protocols, the guidelines changed, just as the virus continues to change. We’d make those adaptations, we’d be set, and then it would change, and it still continues to do that. But I believe we are in a good place.”
A committee including Skidmore’s head athletic trainer, members of the athletic staff, coaches, medical director for campus, student athletes and non-student athletes was formed in the summer. Cummings-Danson stresses how important it was to get multiple peoples opinions because the facilities are utilized by everyone,“we didn't want to exclude anyone, even though the bulk of the use is from varsity athletes.”
This decision extends beyond varsity athletics. Popular physical activity classes such as racquetball and weight training, that take place in the courts and weight room respectively, had to be cancelled because those sections of the athletic center were not yet opened.
Even the parts of the athletic center that have been opened such as the pool and gym, are limited to student-use only and with special sign up sheets, limiting the number of people allowed in the space at a given time:
“We made a conscious decision that the athletics facilities are open to students only. We prioritize the student and that’s the right decision, and that’s not to say that we don't have faculty and staff that would like to be working out. But the easiest way we can be successful in mitigating the spread of covid is to make sure we are focused on one population, and when the opportunity presents itself, we can open up more.”
Cummings-Danson emphasizes that the safety of the students was the priority throughout the process. “If we felt like at any time we were not going to be in a safe moment or put the students in danger, we would have shut down the conversation. It’s not worth any of that. And so, you know, we just kept grinding through.”
As for now, Fall teams are moving into phase 3 (half-team practices), with winter sports gearing up to start their seasons. All phases are 14 days and teams have to successfully get through one phase in order to enter a new one.
In terms of competitions, Cummings-Danson states that even though Skidmore was trying to hold on as long as possible, multiple schools in the league had started pulling out, making it such that there were simply not enough teams to play. “Do I think teams could be competing right now? Absolutely. I believe in the safety regulations and the Athletic trainers and the protocols they have in place with health services and the medical staff.”
As the school year rapidly approached, Cummings-Danson mentions how the focus was on coming up with guidelines and protocols that would ensure the opening of facilities. This included when the spaces would be opened, cleaned, where hand sanitizers and wipes would be placed, and how signage would be handled.
When asked how she thinks this will change the way athletics are conducted, Cummings-Danson says, “I think there will be more value placed in smaller groups because instructional is different. I don’t think anyone, when they have the full opportunity to go back to normal, will maintain what they are doing now, but maybe they will change to smaller groups because of focus on individual attention and skill.”
Cummings-Danson says how thankful she is for the hardworking members of the athletics department. “I’m really appreciative of all of our coaches who have really stepped up. We had to cancel a lot of classes. Knowing that our students would be missing out on that level of physicality, we are now offering recreational classes for students to get out and do something different and move, so i‘m thankful for that opportunity. I am thankful to be in a situation where fall sports are practicing and winter sports are getting ready to practice. And i’m hopeful for the spring.”