Ontario colleges will be facing a number of changes at the beginning of the fall semester due to the COVID-19 crisis, and that will mean varsity sports as well.
St. Clair College, Fanshawe College and Lambton College announced on Monday that the varsity schedule for the 2020 fall season has been suspended. The decision was made by the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) for all of Ontario's 27 colleges in an effort to reduce any potential exposure to COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of everyone involved in varsity sports.
Baseball, softball, rugby, rugby sevens, outdoor soccer, golf, and cross country running will be impacted by the decision.
Varsity sports are expected to resume for the 2021 winter semester with reduced schedules starting in January, but the OCAA is expected to review the situation as the pandemic progresses in the province. The winter semester includes basketball, volleyball, badminton, curling, and indoor soccer.The St. Clair College said it is working collaboratively with member schools on a plan to offer a spring 2021 season for the sports that have been suspended.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities across the province have already announced that they will be offering both online and in-person classes in the fall.