To the UMPI Community,

After months of planning on the best way forward, the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Athletics Program  is announcing today the plans for a safe return to all fall athletics and the intention to continue to plan for limited external competition. These decisions have been made following the Program’s close work with the University of Maine System, North Atlantic Conference (NAC), and the NCAA, and in collaboration with health professionals and organizations.

Our Athletics Director Dan Kane will be sharing details in an Athletics press release later today and our Athletics staff will be meeting with student-athletes over Zoom, but I wanted to ensure that our campus community was aware of the overall plan. We will have strong testing measures in place and health protocols that student-athletes will need to follow to keep themselves and each other safe, and will be following the most up-to-date Maine CDC guidelines as we move forward. Per a decision from the NAC, there will be no conference contests or championships in any fall sports this semester. Any outside competitions in which we take part will be closely evaluated, taking into account location, health trends, and protocols being practiced. I want to emphasize, though, that if there is a shift in trends in Maine or we feel for whatever reason that it is not in the best interest of our student-athletes and staff, we will adjust our plans accordingly.  Every decision will be guided by science and the advice of Maine and other appropriate public health experts.

We are working to ensure the well-being of our student-athletes–both physically and mentally–while affording them a meaningful and fulfilling student athlete experience, which is why athletics activities will continue as long as it is safe to do so. We understand that this fall will be far from a ‘normal’ season for our student-athletes, but this plan will give them the opportunity–if they choose–to participate in practices, training, skill-development, and competitions as long as it can be done in ways that best protect everyone’s health and safety. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dan Kane or myself if you have questions once the press release is shared.

Ray