On Monday, the NJCAA was set to vote on a proposal that would move fall sports to the spring semester amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Northwest College, a member of the organization, stands to be affected by whatever decision is reached.
The recommendation put forward to the NJCAA’s Board of Regents to shift “a majority” of fall competition to the spring of 2021 was supported by an advisory council, the board’s chair and the organization’s president and CEO, Christopher Parker.
“We must adjust accordingly to support and sustain NJCAA programs,” Parker said in a Thursday statement. “The association as a whole is collectively working to provide the best opportunities to be successful on and off the field for our student-athletes.”
In Thursday’s statement, NJCAA leaders said the organization was finalizing plans “that provide engagement, safety and regional leadership to support student-athletes during the fall and spring semesters.”
Northwest College was set to begin practices for fall sports — volleyball and soccer — in the coming weeks. But NWC communications and marketing director Carey Miller said Friday that the NJCAA’s new recommendations, plus discussions that were being held among Region IX leaders, “is going to alter our plans, I think.”
Once the NJCAA votes on and approves the plan, more details will be released to the public.