Captain Rachel Werdin carries the puck at a St. Thomas women’s hockey game. The MIAC Presidents’ Council agreed Tuesday to continue planning for the possibility of winter sports competitions. (TommieMedia file photo).
The MIAC Presidents’ Council agreed Tuesday to continue planning for the possibility of winter sports competitions, according to a statement on its website.
The council will reconvene in January to confirm plans for the basketball and ice hockey regular seasons and the indoor track and field and swimming and diving championships.
Prior to this decision, two MIAC schools had already pulled out of winter sports competition: Carleton College was the first to cancel on Oct. 23, with St. Olaf College following suit on Nov. 12.
It is unknown whether these schools will reconsider that decision once the MIAC makes a final announcement in January.
Neighboring Division III conferences the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Midwest Conference recently made decisions regarding resuming sports competitions.
The WIAC voted Friday to resume winter sports competition in February depending on access to COVID-19 testing resources, according to a statement on the WIAC website.
The MWC announced Dec. 3 in a statement on its website that it will not sponsor league competition and championships for fall and winter sports during the 2020-21 academic year.
St. Thomas’ athletic department did not offer a comment.
Joey Swanson can be reached at swan5350@stthomas.edu.