America East adopts new scheduling format
Oct. 19, 2020Updated: Oct. 19, 2020 11:33 a.m.
The America East Conference board of presidents has approved a series of recommendations toward a return to sports competition, which includes basketball teams playing back-to-back weekend home games against the same opponent.
The conference, which includes the University at Albany among its 10 basketball-playing members, is eyeing a Dec. 19-20 start to conference play, with open weekends later in the season to accommodate possible postponed days. A full double round-robin format — 18 games per school — is planned. All games will be played on Saturdays and Sundays.
Nonconference games may be played in the three weeks before conference play begins at he discretion of individual institutions. Nonconference opponents must also satisfy the NCAA’s testing guidance for at least one week prior to competing against an America East team, the conference said.
“We are universally committed to responsibly prepare an environment and schedule that safely positions each institution and the conference for basketball competition,” America East commissioner Amy Huchthausen said in a statement. “We acknowledge this will be a unique season with many variables both within and outside of our control, but we will continue working with relevant stakeholder groups as we build towards a basketball season that prioritizes the health and safety of our teams and broader campus communities. While we continue moving forward with preparations, we are realistic that adaptation and flexibility are critical as conditions evolve in order to successfully navigate this season.”
The men’s and women’s basketball schedules will be released in early November, the conference said.
The America East also established guidelines in other areas, including five sports moved from the fall to spring semester:
- Indoor track and field: Cancellation of the 2021 championship while allowing institutional discretion on regular‐season competition.
- Swimming and diving: Shifting the regular season and championship to the spring semester. Championship dates and site(s) are to be determined over the next several weeks.
- Cross country: Championship to be held Friday, March 5, at a site to be determined.
- Field hockey: A full round‐robin schedule (eight games) starting on March 19 and ending on April 17. Four teams will qualifying for the conference championship April 22 and 24.
- Men’s soccer: A six‐game schedule starting Feb. 26 and ending on April 9. A four‐team, single‐site America East Championship set for April 15 and 17.
- Women’s soccer: A six‐game schedule from March 7 to April 11. A four‐team, single‐site championship is set for April 16 and 18.
- Women’s volleyball: A double round‐robin schedule (12 matches) will begin Feb. 28 and end March 29. The top two teams will play the America East championship match April 4.
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