Berkeley College Announces Athletic Program Changes for Fall Semester
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Senior Director, Communications and External Relations
973-200-1099
KME@BerkeleyCollege.edu
BERKELEY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES ATHLETIC PROGRAM CHANGES FOR FALL SEMESTER
As the pandemic due to the COVID-19 health crisis continues its global threat, Berkeley College, like many other colleges in the New York metropolitan area and throughout the United States, will reduce its athletic program for the upcoming academic year. “We appreciate the competitive spirit and dedication of our student-athletes, coaches and coaching staff members who have contributed to the College over the years and look forward to future chapters in our Berkeley College Athletics future,” said Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College, in a letter sent to the Berkeley College community.
The cross-country and tennis teams will be phased out. Men’s Soccer and the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will continue, according to new guidelines. “The objective is to keep our student-athletes safe, conditioned, and engaged, and prepared for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) competitions, in which Berkeley College participates,” said Dallas Reed, PhD, Vice President, Berkeley College Student Development and Campus Life. Both the USCAA and the HVIAC have announced rescheduled plans for conference championships to take place in the spring of 2021.
The Men’s Soccer teams and the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will not compete in intercollegiate sports in the fall 2020 semester. They will be allowed only to participate in training and practice sessions this fall, if facilities are available, and all participating students and coaches comply with the required health screenings and safety protocols in place. This will be conducted under new safety guidelines that have been submitted to the states of New Jersey and New York. This is subject to change for reasons, including but not limited to, directives from the Governors of New Jersey and New York.
The student-athletes and coaches will be required to participate in Athletic and COVID-19 Safety Training informational sessions. Team members and coaches also must complete a COVID-19 Health Questionnaire, and their temperatures will be taken each day of practice and training. The Berkeley College Restart Plans outline these protocols, which are viewable on the Berkeley College website.
Over the past several months, the Berkeley College Administration has made efforts to preserve sports activities while strengthening resources available to students in support of their educational and career pursuits aligned with the mission of the College.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, as well as in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 5,700 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
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