The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) voted on Tuesday to suspend all mandated conference athletic events and championships through the fall semester in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference has already undertaken a full review of its ability to shift fall sports competition and championships to the spring semester and fully intends to do so if a return to competition can be safely executed. “The entire conference has worked hard these last few months to prepare for the return of sports to our campuses beginning this fall,” said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. “However, it has become apparent that the safe conduct of sports under the guidelines of social distancing is untenable for our members. We cannot place our student-athletes at greater risk than the general student body. Despite our planning and collective efforts, it has become clear that we are not able to do so.” “We are committed to giving our student-athletes the chance to compete during this academic year,” said California University of Pennsylvania President Geraldine Jones, who was newly elected as chair of the PSAC Board of Directors. ”Many institutions and conferences are facing the same circumstances as we are, and if it is safe to return to competition, we will work with them and the NCAA to provide our teams with a championship experience during the spring semester. We know this is a huge disappointment for our student-athletes who work so very hard in their sport. This decision was not taken lightly and we feel saddened by having to do so.” The PSAC and its member institutions will develop guidelines for all teams to continue individual skill instruction, as well as strength and conditioning activities, under social distancing protocols by the end of the summer. The determination as to when winter and spring sports may begin workouts and practices will be considered at a later date. Seventeen Pennsylvania schools are part of the conference, including California University of Pa., Seton Hill, Slippery Rock, Clarion and IUP. Conference sports include; football, soccer, basketball, wrestling and swimming.