On Monday, February 8, the Centennial Conference communicated that it continues to evaluate conditions with regard to spring athletic competitions and will announce a decision about spring conference competition by the end of February. Muhlenberg College appreciates the care that the Conference is taking in considering the particular circumstances of individual conference members in the midst of the changing pandemic conditions.

Based on the success of Muhlenberg's campus experience in the fall and the extensive planning done by the athletics department, the College is confident in taking the necessary steps to allow for in-person training and practice that will make it possible to begin competitions in late March providing conditions allow teams to do so safely.

"Our coaches and staff are excited to have many of our student-athletes back to campus. The entire college community has worked tirelessly in preparation for our students' safe return — including implementing protocols that will permit our coaches and student-athletes to safely prepare for competition this spring," said Lynn Tubman, director of athletics. "I know our Mules are motivated and committed to successfully progressing through our Return to Sport protocols so that they will be ready to compete when conditions permit."

The College has worked with Lehigh Valley Health Network to develop extensive Return to Sport guidelines that follow state, local and College COVID policies. As with other campus protocols, guidelines provide a framework for health and safety, but the community's success is dependent upon compliance, and student-athletes play a large role in determining how our teams proceed through the spring season.

The College will enter Phase I of its Return to Sport protocols for spring teams this week. Phase I focuses on individual skills and small group conditioning workouts outside while maintaining distancing and mask wearing requirements. Fall and winter teams will enter this phase on February 15. Phase II allows for limited equipment sharing and organized group activities. Phase III allows for larger groups and intrasquad competition. In each phase, distancing, mask wearing and sanitizing guidelines will be adhered to. Once all three phases are complete, spring competition will be possible if conditions warrant. In the meantime, Muhlenberg athletics is working to finalize detailed COVID testing and travel policies that all competing teams will be required to follow. 

"I am proud of the effort our coaches made over the past year to maintain a cohesive spirit within their teams and engage students both on campus and remotely. Athletics and competition play a critical role in the liberal arts experience of our student-athletes and I am pleased they will have the opportunity to work toward a return to play," said Kathleen E. Harring, president. "I want to offer a special thank you to our coaches—who made sure our student-athletes continued to learn and grow through a variety of athletics initiatives and educational opportunities while taking on additional responsibilities to support the College's efforts to make the health and safety of our students our primary goal."