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NJCAA COVID-19 update - The Path for 2020-21 Sports
Posted: Jul 14, 2020

NJCAA COVID-19 update - The Path for 2020-21 Sports

Charlotte, NC – Following the recommendations from the NJCAA Presidential Advisory Council and the NJCAA Board of Regents, the NJCAA has announced its adjusted plan of action for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year. Following the Board of Regents' vote on Monday, a majority of competition will be moved to the spring semester.

"Our greatest focus is and always has been providing the best opportunities for our student-athletes," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO. "Through a unified effort from our Presidential Advisory Council, the Board of Regents, and leadership staff, our most recent plan of action provides a path that keeps our student-athletes competing at the highest level with proper safety measures in place. As we move forward as an association, we will continue to provide opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches, and all those involved with the NJCAA to be safe and successful."

The most recent plan of action shifts all close-contact fall sports to the spring semester. These sports include football, men's and women's soccer, and court volleyball. The NJCAA cross country championships for all three divisions and half marathon championships will remain as their originally scheduled dates in the fall as well as Division III women's tennis. 

All winter sports competition will begin in January with a majority of championship seasons moved from March to April. These sports include men's and women's basketball, wrestling, and swimming and diving. Men's and women's bowling and men's and women's indoor track and field will be held at the beginning of March.

Spring sports competition remains intact with minor adjustments to dates. These sports include baseball, softball, beach volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, track and field, and men's and women's tennis.

Along with the adjustments to competition season and championship dates, the NJCAA has provided information as it relates to scrimmage and practice dates and allowances in the fall.

Championship dates are subject to change based on championship facility availability.

For all NJCAA COVID-19 updates, visit: NJCAA COVID-19 Homepage

 

NJCAA MEN'S & WOMEN'S SOCCER

Fall Practice Season

  • Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages within August 15, 2020 - November 15, 2020.
  • Allowed four (4) scrimmage dates in total for the year, with a maximum of two (2) scrimmages allowed in the spring. Each scrimmage limited to no more than two outside opponents.

Spring Championship Season

  • Practice will be permitted to begin starting March 15, 2021.
  • Competition will be permitted to begin starting April 2, 2021. 
  • Maximum of 14 games.
  • All regular season, region, and district competition completed by May 24, 2021.
  • NJCAA Men's & Women's Soccer Championships beginning June 2, 2021.

NJCAA COURT VOLLEYBALL

Fall Practice Season

  • Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages within August 15, 2020 - November 15, 2020.
  • Allowed five (5) scrimmage dates in total for the year, with a maximum of two (2) scrimmage dates allowed in the spring. Each scrimmage limited to no more than two outside opponents.

Spring Championship Season

  • Practice will be permitted to begin starting January 11, 2021.
  • Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 29, 2021.
  • Maximum of 21 competition dates.
  • All regular season, region, and district competition completed by April 3, 2021.
  • NJCAA Volleyball Championships held April 15-17, 2021.

NJCAA MEN'S & WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Fall Practice Season

  • Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages within September 15, 2020 - December 15, 2020.
  • Allowed five (5) scrimmage dates in total for the year, with a maximum of two (2) scrimmage dates allowed in the spring. Each scrimmage limited to no more than two outside opponents.

Spring Championship Season

  • Practice will be permitted to begin starting January 11, 2021.
  • Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 22, 2021.
  • Maximum of 22 games.
  • All regular season, region, and district championship competition completed by April 10, 2021.
  • NJCAA Men's & Women's Basketball Championships beginning April 19, 2021.

NJCAA WRESTLING

Fall Practice Season

  • Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages within September 15, 2020 - December 15, 2020.
  • Maximum of two (2) scrimmage dates against outside competition. Each scrimmage limited to two outside opponents.

Spring Championship Season

  • Practice will be permitted to begin starting January 4, 2021.
  • Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 20, 2021.
  • Maximum of 14 competition dates.
  • All regular season, region, and district competition completed by April 15, 2021.
  • NJCAA Wrestling Championships held April 23-24, 2021.

NJCAA BASEBALL

Fall Practice Season

  • Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages within September 5, 2020 - November 15, 2020.
  • Maximum of 15 scrimmages (not dates) against outside competition.

Spring Championship Season

  • Practice will be permitted to begin starting January 10, 2021.
  • Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 22, 2021.
  • Maximum of 56 games (not dates) against outside competition.
  • All regular season, region, and district competition completed by May 23, 2021.
  • NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series held May 29, 2021 - June 4/5, 2021.

NJCAA MEN'S AND WOMEN'S GOLF

Fall Practice Season

  • Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages within September 5, 2020 - November 15, 2020.
  • Maximum of 30 dates against outside competition combined between fall and spring.

Spring Championship Season

  • Practice will be permitted to begin starting January 10, 2021.
  • Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 22, 2021.
  • NJCAA Women's Golf Championship held May 10-13, 2021.
  • NJCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship held May 11-14, 2021.

NJCAA SOFTBALL

Fall Practice Season

  • Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages within September 5, 2020 - November 15, 2020.
  • Maximum of seven (7) scrimmage dates against outside competition.

Spring Championship Season

  • Practice will be permitted to begin starting January 10, 2021.
  • Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 22, 2021.
  • Maximum of 30 dates against outside competition.
  • All regular season, region, and district competition completed by May 19, 2021.
  • NJCAA Division I Softball Championship held May 25-29, 2021.