CSM"s Athletics Team Announces "Return to Play" Plan; Remains Flexible for Fall to Prepare for Spring

Adhering to the recommendations from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Presidential Advisory Council and the NJCAA Board of Regents, the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Athletics Department has announced its ‘Return to Play’ plan. CSM men’s and women’s cross country and women’s lacrosse will be suspended for the 2020-2021 academic year and the nine remaining athletic programs will be permitted to hold up to eight hours of training sessions per week in the fall semester beginning the week of Sept. 14 through Nov. 21 to prepare for spring competition.

“We’ve been in touch with our athletes mostly through our coaches, and they seem relieved that we are flexible enough to do our best to make a spring season take place,” said Interim Dean for Student Development Michelle Ruble. “We are all excited to get our teams underway, to see each other this fall and get the training work in to prepare for the spring.”

NJCAA announced its adjusted plan of action for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year by moving all close-contact athletic programs in the fall and winter seasons to the spring.

“Our greatest focus is and always has been providing the best opportunities for our student-athletes,” said Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO in press release last month. “Through a unified effort from our Presidential Advisory Council, the Board of Regents, and leadership staff, our most recent plan of action provides a path that keeps our student-athletes competing at the highest level with proper safety measures in place. As we move forward as an association, we will continue to provide opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches, and all those involved with the NJCAA to be safe and successful.”