Vermont Business Magazine After much coordination and thorough evaluation of all options, Norwich University President Mark C. Anarumo, Col., USAF, (Ret) regrettably announced on Wednesday that the university will not be participating in intercollegiate fall sports competition this year.
“Athletics play a major role in student life and community relations, and help our young men and women develop into the leaders our country needs,” Anarumo said. “This is a very difficult decision, and one we do not take lightly. Ultimately, we must honor our commitment to the safety and well-being of our student athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff, as well as our fans and friends. Through those perspectives, we simply could not accept the risks associated with exposing our athletes and competitors from other schools to environments we could not ensure are sufficiently safe from the potential spread of COVID-19.”
In the absence of a competitive season, Norwich University is evaluating ways to maximize on-campus athletics in ways that advance the skills and student-athlete experience, while preserving NCAA eligibility, including pursuit of NCAA waivers where appropriate.
Norwich University has not determined the status of winter sports at this time. The university leadership will evaluate all options thoroughly and work with all constituent groups to make a decision as quickly as possible, informed by health and safety guidelines from the CDC and the Vermont Department of Health.
As of today, all winter and spring athletes will be able to participate in athletic-related activities under the guidance of Norwich coaches and staff and as directed by NCAA regulations.
Athletics will continue to be a university priority with programming and activities for the Norwich community throughout the academic year.
Outdoor recreation programming will be expanded through the Shaw Outdoor Center. Fitness facilities including Plumley Armory, the Andrews weight room, Kreitzberg Arena, and Sabine Field are open in keeping with state and federal guidelines.
Norwich sponsors eight varsity intercollegiate fall sports teams including: football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s rugby and volleyball. In 2019-20, Norwich had 316 student-athletes compete in fall sport intercollegiate athletic competition.
For the most up-to-date information and details on Norwich University’s re-opening, please go to Norwich.edu/psa.
FAQ Numbers
· Eight fall sports – football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s rugby, volleyball
· 316 fall sport student-athletes in 2019-20
· 188 student-athletes in the Corps of Cadets, 128 civilian student-athletes
· 227 males, 89 females
· 95 scheduled intercollegiate athletic contests for fall 2020
Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. Norwich is one of our nation's six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).
Source: NORTHFIELD, Vt. – www.norwich.edu 7.15.2020