UPDATE: On January 12, the University Athletic Association announced it would not be holding conference competition in the spring. Brandeis is still exploring avenues for local, non-conference competition.
In unprecedented times, the Brandeis University Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation will continue to provide the latest updates for the Athletics community. Below, student-athletes, alumni, staff, faculty and fans can access up-to-date information regarding adjustments to athletic activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, we encourage you to visit Brandeis' Plan for 2020-21 and main COVID-19 page for updates directly from the University.
MASK GUIDELINES - FALL/WINTER PARTICIPATION - CLUB SPORTS, INTRAMURALS & RECREATION - FITNESS FACILITIES - HEALTH & WELNESS MODULES - VARSITY SPORTS - ADDITIONAL UPDATES - HOW TO HELP
MASK GUIDELINES & UPDATED FACILITY HOURS
VARSITY PARTICIPATION
Brandeis Fall and winter varsity sports, as well as club sports, will not be competing in intercollegiate competition during the 2020-21 Academic year. Spring sports will not hold UAA competition but will still explore local, non-conference competition. Intramural sports programming will avoid all contact, team-based activities. The Gosman Sports and Convocation Center continues to observe protocols to ensure health and safety.
CLUB SPORTS, INTRAMURALS & RECREATION
Competitive club sports and specific team-based intramural activities have been suspended for the fall semester. Low-risk, non-contact intramurals activities and expanded e-sports opportunities will still be offered. For more information and a full schedule of fall intramural activities for this fall, visit the Intramurals Homepage.
FITNESS FACILITIES
The Gosman Sports and Convocation Center has reopened as of August 17. Users must visit the Gosman COVID-19 Policies Page to review new policies prior to visiting the gym.
New protocols are in place to prioritize the health and safety of everyone using or working in the facility, including physical distancing, spacing out of fitness equipment, and regular cleaning and disinfecting of equipment and surfaces. The implementation of these protocols will cause significant changes to the normal use of the facility. For example, some equipment and areas of the fitness center may not be available for use; masks will need to be worn for most activities; limits will be placed on the number of concurrent users and the duration of each visit; and advance reservations are encouraged to access the facility.
Those using the gym must follow the new protocols listed on the Gosman COVID-19 Policies Page and register ahead of time to use facilities. Anyone coming to campus to use the gym must have also have previously completed Brandeis' mandatory safety training for faculty and staff or for students. They must take the Brandeis' Daily Health Assessment and provide proof of completion upon entry to the gym. Addtionally, users should sign up for COVID-19 testing based on the frequency with which they will be on campus.
The Gosman Center will be closed during the week of Thanksgiving and will reopen for Winter Break on Nov. 30. Full hours available at https://www.brandeisjudges.com/facilities/schedule
ACTIVITIES-BASED HEALTH AND WELLNESS (HWL) MODULES
The university is offering many of its activities-based health and wellness modules this fall. Some module courses are designed for remote learning, while others are designed for in-person instruction. All in-person module courses are subject to social distancing requirements and new safety protocols. A complete list of HWL course offerings can be found in the public schedule of classes.
VARSITY SPORTS
Fall & Winter Sports Update: Brandeis will not be competing in intercollegiate sports during the Fall 2020 semester, or during the Winter 2020-21 season. This includes all fall sports (men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, volleyball and men's and women's tennis) and winter sports (men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s fencing, men’s and women’s swimming & diving, and men’s and women’s track & field).
“Even with the extensive university testing protocol in place, we ultimately decided that the risks to [our student-athletes], your coaches and our staff were simply too great to move forward with travel and outside competition,” said Director of Athletics Lauren Haynie.
Teams will still be able to engage in practice and strength and conditioning sessions.
The NCAA has issued a blanket waiver that preserves a year of eligibility for student-athletes who had the Spring 2020 season cancelled. The full statement is available here. They have also issued an additional blanket waiver that includes the entire 2020-21 academic year. That full statement is available here.
ADDITIONAL UPDATES
Brandeis Athletics is in the midst of developing protocols and guidelines for general recreation, fitness classes, health & wellness classes, and other athletics-related activities. Additional updates with more specific information will be made available on this page as they become available.
We welcome your questions about how COVID-19 will affect athletics at Brandeis University during the 2020-21 academic year. Please be sure to read through the Fall 2020 at Brandeis final report and the Frequently Asked Questions on this website to see if your question has already been answered. If not, please feel free to send us an email at athletics@brandeis.edu
HOW TO HELP
If you are looking for ways to help Brandeis students and student-athletes out during this difficult time, please visit the Light The Way Campaign to learn more.
FALL PARTICIPATION - CLUB SPORTS, INTRAMURALS & RECREATION - FITNESS FACILITIES - HEALTH & WELLNESS MODULES - VARSITY SPORTS - ADDITIONAL UPDATES