Update - July 23, 2020

After additional consideration, and with the realization that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present ongoing challenges, Brandeis Athletics has extended the suspension of all intercollegiate athletics through December 31, 2020. The suspension includes both the fall varsity athletics season, as well as winter seasons that begin during the fall semester (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).

While Brandeis will not compete in any games or competition prior to January 1, 2021, the department will continue to explore ways for our student-athletes to remain engaged in meaningful athletic activity, which may include small group practices, skill development, strength & conditioning, and student-athlete wellbeing opportunities. 

Brandeis will be reassessing the viability for participation in intercollegiate competition in 2021 at some point later this fall. Additional updates will be shared with the Brandeis community as soon as they become available.

Original Release - July 14, 2020

After careful consideration, Brandeis Director of Athletics Lauren Haynie has announced that the University’s Fall teams (men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, volleyball and men’s and women’s tennis) will not compete in intercollegiate athletics during the Fall 2020 season. 

This information was relayed to student-athletes in an email from Haynie, which read, in part,

“The department considered all options and planned extensively for ways for us to be able to compete this season. Based on the federal, state and campus information and guidelines that we have in place today, the decision to not participate in fall intercollegiate athletics was ultimately made with the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff members as our top priority.”

The full text of the email is as follows:

I write to you today with some disappointing news regarding the Fall 2020 season.

After careful consideration with the administrative and coaching staff, Brandeis Athletics has decided that the University’s Fall teams (men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, volleyball and men’s and women’s tennis) will not compete in intercollegiate athletics during the Fall 2020 season. 

The department considered all options and planned extensively for ways for us to be able to compete this season. Based on the federal, state and campus information and guidelines that we have in place today, the decision to not participate in fall intercollegiate athletics was ultimately made with the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff members as our top priority. As you know, earlier this month, the University Athletic Association (UAA) had announced that the conference schedule would not be viable for the fall. 

In the coming weeks, departmental staff will be working with coaches to develop guidelines on conditioning and practice activities that allow you to work together in some capacity upon your return to campus, if state guidelines allow.

Though the season will look different from any other that has come before, we will continue to explore ways for our student-athletes to engage in their passion.

At this time, Brandeis is still considering plans of action for the remainder of the fall semester, including winter sports that are scheduled to start their seasons in October and November. A determination will be made at a later date.

Last week, the NCAA issued a blanket waiver that will preserve a year of eligibility for all Fall 2020 student-athletes. You can read the full statement here. Please consider this information as you weigh your options for the upcoming semester. 

I invite you to join us for another community check-in via Zoom on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. to address any questions and concerns you may have. 

We cannot express the significance of our disappointment at this time, but hope to be able to cheer you on in competition soon. 

Lauren

Lauren Haynie
Director of Athletics
Brandeis University

For more Brandeis-specific COVID-19 updates, we encourage you to visit Brandeis' Plan for Fall 2020 and the Athletics COVID-19 Update page.