Nipissing University says it will continue to move forward with all its sports programming despite the news that the local university has elected to deliver its fall term classes primarily online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The University is committed to allowing sport to continue in 2020-21 as long as it is safe to do so," stated Dr. Casey Phillips, Assistant Vice-President, Students, in an email to BayToday.
"The health and safety of our Nipissing community is of the utmost importance and will guide our decision-making every step of the way. We encourage our student-athletes to plan to return to campus this fall to fully engage in all aspects of a safe Nipisssing University athletics sport program."
See related: Nipissing University moves fall classes online
Phillips says Nipissing University Athletics is in regular communication with the provincial government, public health authorities, Ontario University Athletics and community partners.
"Decisions regarding additional campus guidelines and information regarding our plans to implement a training and competitive season will be shared as more information becomes available," he said.
"We are making significant investments in student and faculty support for online learning and remain focused on finding innovative ways to create an enriching student experience this fall while adhering to public health guidelines and ensuring the health and safety of our campus community."
Back in mid-May, the U SPORTS Board of Directors extended the moratorium on all in-person recruiting for its 12 sanctioned sports until May 31, 2020.
This moratorium includes all in-person recruiting visits (on- or off-campus official or unofficial visits) as well as the scheduling and rescheduling of any future in-person recruiting; no travel arrangements can be made with prospective student-athletes during the moratorium.
Recruitment by phone call, text message, social media, email, or other non-in-person mediums are permitted to continue during this blackout.
“This decision was made after taking into consideration information from member universities, and our Chief Medical Officer,” said Lisette Johnson-Stapley, U SPORTS Chief Sport Officer in a release.
“U SPORTS believes that this is the most prudent action to take to protect the health and well-being of prospective student-athletes, their families, coaches and university staff.”
All varsity sports including hockey, basketball, soccer and volleyball have been making recruiting announcements in this unique off-season.
See related: COVID-19 impacting university hockey athletic recruiting season
"The days are long making 25 to 30 calls a day, you are texting 40 different people and responding to 35 to 40 emails a day so you are really busy administratively for sure," said Mike McParland, Lakers varsity men's hockey coach earlier this spring about the unique recruiting process in 2020.
"Obviously this is completely different than any other year," admitted Darren Turcotte, Lakers varsity women's hockey coach.
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