After extensive conversations with college, regional, and national leadership, Anne Arundel Community College athletics has developed a plan for sport competition in the spring 2021 semester.
AACC has made the difficult decision to cancel its 2020-21 volleyball, men's basketball, and women's basketball competition seasons. The volleyball season was originally moved from the fall to the spring, and the start of both the men's and women's basketball competition seasons had already been pushed back from November to January.
Anne Arundel's outdoor sports will attempt to move forward to compete in the spring 2021 semester. The men's and women's soccer seasons were moved from fall to spring per the NJCAA 2021 Sports Guidelines, and will participate in a shortened season with competition beginning no earlier than April 1. The Riverhawks' baseball, softball, men's and women's lacrosse, and golf seasons will begin competition no earlier than February 22 per Region XX guidelines.
"As it has been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our student-athletes remain our foremost concerns," said athletic director Duane Herr '07. "The fact that our indoor sports are considered higher risk, the county's restrictions on athletic activity into mid-January, and the schedule changes by our peer institutions in both Region XX and Maryland JUCO all factored in to our decision to cancel the volleyball and basketball seasons. We strive to offer meaningful athletic opportunities to our student-athletes and will continue to do so when it is deemed safe."
The NJCAA recently announced an eligibility waiver for all 2020-21 sport seasons (Fall, winter, spring), providing eligibility relief for all NJCAA student-athletes in the 2020-21 academic year. for fall, winter, and spring student-athletes
All 2020-21 NJCAA sport seasons (fall, winter, spring) will not count towards student-athlete eligibility. The eligibility relief is provided to all NJCAA student-athletes regardless of sport season participation in the 2020-21 academic year. Returning student-athletes will be considered "non-counters" for letter of intent and NJCAA eligibility purposes. The NJCAA Eligibility Committee will continue to review and evaluate the impact of the blanket waiver on eligibility requirements.
AACC 2020-2021 Sports Seasons Overview
Volleyball: Canceled
Men's Basketball: Canceled
Women's Basketball: Canceled
Men's Cross Country: Canceled
Women's Cross Country: Canceled
Baseball: Competition begins no earlier than February 22
Softball: Competition begins no earlier than February 22
Men's Lacrosse: Competition begins no earlier than February 22
Women's Lacrosse: Competition begins no earlier than February 22
Men's Golf: Competition begins no earlier than February 22
Men's Soccer: Competition begins no earlier than April 1
Women's Soccer: Competition begins no earlier than April 1