Kellogg Community College is announcing today that, in light of current restrictions and public health guidance regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the College has decided to opt out of formal conference and league competition in Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.
KCC carefully considered a variety of factors, including the safety of athletes and coaches; restrictions on practices and bodily contact in current state emergency orders; current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and recommendations from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
In short, KCC’s three teams will not have a formal, competitive season in either the Michigan Community College Athletic Association or the National Junior College Athletic Association.
However, if state orders and health guidance allow, KCC is planning to participate in the NJCAA’s “Scrimmage/Alternate Season” from April 12 through May 10. By participating in this season, KCC athletes will be allowed to continue conditioning at the College, playing the sports they love against other colleges and maintaining fitness in preparation for the 2021-22 seasons.
With the same factors in mind, Kellogg Community College also is announcing today that it has decided to continue MCCAA and NJCAA competition in Men’s Bowling, Women’s Bowling, Baseball and Women’s Soccer. Due to the non-contact nature of those sports, the teams will continue their practices and begin their seasons in the coming weeks.
“KCC cares deeply about its student athletes, which is why their health and safety are paramount. KCC also cares about their growth and success on the court and on the field, which is why we struggled mightily with this decision to cancel competition for three of our teams,” said KCC President Adrien L. Bennings, a former professional track and field athlete.
“The reality of the pandemic and the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus in our community have required us to balance our dual roles as an institution that recruits and coaches student athletes while also looking out for their overall interests,” Bennings said.
“Just as we sometimes have to make the difficult decision to tell an athlete they can’t play due to an injury or an academic challenge, in this case we’re telling three teams they can’t play due to the risk of spreading and contracting a disease that has claimed the lives of more than 14,000 people in Michigan,” said Athletic Director Tom Shaw. “It’s heartbreaking to have to make this decision and deliver the news to our coaches and athletes, but we believe it to be a necessary course of action and in the best interests of all involved.”
To date, four other community colleges have announced they are canceling their basketball and/or volleyball seasons. More than 100 student athletes participate in KCC’s nine sports each year. Current sports include Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Bowling, Women’s Bowling, Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Soccer and Volleyball.
For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.