WIAC Statement On COVID-19; spring events canceled

Link to WIAC official release

MADISON (March 16, 2020) - Following a very deliberative process in response to the spread of COVID-19, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) the spring sports season has been canceled to include any and all competition. The sports include baseball, softball, women's lacrosse, outdoor track & field, golf and tennis.

The move comes after the NCAA announced last week the canceling of all NCAA 2020 winter and spring championships. 

Following is the complete WIAC release from late Monday afternoon.

WIAC Statement On COVID-19
 
MADISON, Wis.--Following a very deliberative process to allow for the full consideration of the most up-to-date information pertaining to the spread of COVID-19, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced a set of measures that will be implemented conference-wide effective immediately.
 
In so doing, the conference was able to consider input provided by the medical community, the decisions rendered recently by the NCAA pertaining to national championships and student-athlete eligibility, as well as steps taken by other NCAA conferences and amateur and professional sports organizations.
 
Most importantly, the conference endeavored to make responsible decisions that took into account what is in the best short term and long term interest of our campuses and student-athletes while prioritizing the health and safety of the general public.
 
The following measures will take effect immediately:

1. The spring sports season (i.e., baseball, softball, women's lacrosse, outdoor track & field, golf and tennis) has been cancelled to include any and all competition.
2. Any and all athletically-related activities (e.g., practice) are suspended indefinitely.
3. All in-person athletic recruiting activities (on- or off-campus) are suspended indefinitely.
4. All in-person conference meetings are to be transitioned to telephone conference calls until further notice.
5. The American Family Insurance/WIAC Student-Athlete Leadership Institute scheduled for April 16-17 is postponed with the possibility of rescheduling the Institute in the fall.

 For further information or questions, please contact WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner at gkarner@uwsa.edu or (608) 263-4402.

The WIAC includes UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Stout and UW-Whitewater. It also includes affiliate members for men's ice hockey (UW-Superior & Northland College), women's gymnastics (Hamline University, Gustavus Adolphus College & Winona State University) and women's ice hockey (UW-Superior & Northland College).

For more about UW-Stout's response to COVID-19, see https://www.uwstout.edu/covid-19-coronavirus-planning-and-preparedness