LEXINGTON, Va. – The Old Dominion Athletic Conference has announced its plan for the resumption of athletics competition for the spring of 2021.
The ODAC Presidents' Council, in consultation with the ODAC Board of Directors, has conducted a thorough review of the COVID-19 pandemic and has endorsed a plan to return to athletic competition.
The conference has considered several scheduling models, which includes regular season and conference championship structures for a majority of the fall and winter sports. Currently, spring sports schedules and championships remain intact. Additionally, basketball, indoor track & field, and swimming will maintain their opportunities to qualify for NCAA championship participation.
Winter term competition for Washington and Lee will begin after an appropriate practice interval that follows NCAA recommendations and guidelines related to safe return to sport following a transition period. All other sports will follow the same transition guidelines, with competition beginning later in the term.
The ODAC's plan puts at the forefront the health and safety of all individuals involved in collegiate competition on each member's campus. This includes testing protocols set forth by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which Washington and Lee and fellow ODAC member schools are committed to as a part of the return to play process.
"Our testing program will comply with NCAA resocialization guidelines and testing recommendations for safe practice and competition," said Washington and Lee President Will Dudley. "Varsity teams will develop and implement protocols for appropriate training and practice. Opportunities to compete will vary by sport and will depend upon the availability of opposing teams that are also in compliance with prevailing NCAA resocialization guidelines and testing recommendations. Coaches and athletics administration will regularly communicate all necessary details to student-athletes as they become available and decisions are made."
The ODAC's leadership has stated that it will meet on a regular basis to continue planning for the resumption of competition in 2021. Plans, which are subject to change, will take into consideration the health and safety recommendations provided by local, state and national public health authorities.
Many Washington and Lee institutional COVID-19 measures will remain in place, despite a return to intercollegiate competition. Among them, spectators will not be permitted to attend athletic events on the W&L campus.
Washington and Lee participates in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference for 23 of its 24 varsity sports. The wrestling program competes as a member of the Centennial Conference, which is still considering options related to a return to play.
Have questions? Please visit the ODAC's return to athletic competition plan FAQ page.
