Salem State Brings Sports Back For Spring

SALEM, MA — Salem State athletes who found out one year ago this week that their spring season was canceled amid the onset of the coronavirus crisis have been cleared to return to the fields, courts and golf courses this spring.

The eight Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference announced this week that baseball, men's golf, women's lacrosse and softball have been cleared to play this spring, while Salem State will also return men's lacrosse, men's tennis and women's tennis this spring.

Spectators will not be allowed. Fall and winter teams that had their seasons canceled will be allowed to continue to practice.

"Since last year at this time we have had to make some difficult decisions to support the health and safety of our campus community as we all have made sacrifices throughout the pandemic," Nicolle Wood, who was hired as Salem State athletic director in June, said. "I have been inspired by the flexibility and resilience of our student-athletes, coaches and staff as they have continued to adapt to changes to their athletics experience, while always striving toward a return to competition."

The conference said the spectator policy may be revisited during the season if health conditions improve. The conference will livestream contests on MASCAC.tv, while Salem State games will be streamed here.

"I have been inspired by the flexibility and resilience of our student-athletes, coaches and staff as they have continued to adapt to changes to their athletics experience while always striving towards a return to competition," Wood said. "The ability to get to this point was made possible by the efforts of our campus health and safety leaders, our counseling and health services staff, athletic trainers, staff members in athletics and everyone across campus who have assisted with weekly testing efforts.

"We are grateful to provide this opportunity to return to competition to those student-athletes who were the first group impacted last year."

Athletes will be subject to coronavirus protocols and testing procedures with positive tests both within programs and on campus possibly resulting in postponed contests or a suspension of team activities.

"The MASCAC continues to meet regularly with the presidents, athletic directors, athletic trainers and other essential staff as we bring our student-athletes back to the playing field, safely, while adhering to all state, federal and NCAA guidelines," said MASCAC Commissioner Angela Baumann said. "It is our intention to have these athletic events as long as the conditions allow us to move forward safely.

"The MASCAC office and eight MASCAC presidents will be monitoring practices and competition to ensure the continued health and safety of our student-athletes and staff."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)