Article by Lorenzo Serrato, Sports Editor 

Photos courtesy of AQSaints 

Despite the highly anticipated return to athletics this fall, Aquinas has decided to move all fall sports competition to the spring season. The decision came shortly after the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), shifted championship’s for women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, and men’s and women’s soccer, to the spring.

“Over this time period, the WHAC presidents have truly worked together to understand what each member is confronting and always kept the importance of engaging our student-athletes at the highest level of care at the forefront,” stated WHAC Commissioner Rob Miller.

Aquinas has enforced practice and workout plans for this fall, while following the health and safety guidelines. Those guidelines include wearing face coverings, washing hands frequently, not sharing water bottles or towels and completing the daily health screening.

All indoor facilities will also remain closed, with practices being limited to the same 6-10 individuals per practice for the remainder of the fall semester.

Additionally, the Aquinas Athletic Department has divided the return to practices in two phases. Phase 1 starts on August 31st, and Phase 2 begins September 8th. Temperature checks will be taken before the start of each practice. Student athletes may opt out of participation this fall without penalty of losing scholarships. Any athlete who decides to opt out of their sport cannot participate in any in-person related team activities for the entire fall semester.

“We did not make this decision lightly and we are aware that this will not be easy for those involved”, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics Nick Davidson said. “We know our teams want to get stronger and compete and we are committed to helping all of our student-athletes get prepared to the best of their abilities to resume competition in the spring”.

The Aquinas Athletic trainers have worked extensively and hard, saying that the health and safety of all student athletes is at the utmost importance amid COVID-19. Further questions and concerns can be addressed at AQSaints.com/COVID.