NJCAA moving fall sports, winter postseasons to spring

The National Junior College Athletic Association is moving some of its fall sports to the spring due to health and safety concerns over covid-19.

The adjusted plan for 2020-21 includes changing football, soccer and volleyball from fall to spring sports.

Cross country and Division III women’s tennis will remain in the fall.

Additionally, winter sports will have a later start, in January, and winter championships will now be played in March and April. That includes basketball, wrestling and swimming.

Bowling and indoor track and field will start at the beginning of March.

“Our greatest focus is and always has been providing the best opportunities for our student-athletes,” Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President and CEO, said in a news release. “… 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.”

Like the NCAA, the NJCAA has three divisions — I, II and III.

Pennsylvania schools in Division I include Mercyhurst North East, Pitt-Titusville and Lackawanna in Scranton.

Area Division II programs are Community College of Beaver County in Monaca and Harcum College in Bryn Mawr.

Division III colleges from the district include Butler County Community College, Community College of Allegheny County, Westmoreland County Community College and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster.

NJCAA spring sports are status quo, with the exception of a few altered dates. Spring sports include baseball, softball, beach volleyball, golf, lacrosse, track and field and tennis.