This segment originally aired on Talk of the Town on Friday, 7/17.
Will senior athletes be eligible for another season? You can read or listen to our first report on the Ivy League cancelling fall sports from WVBR's Christopher Morales here.
More to come as this story develops!
Last week, the Ivy League Council of Presidents released a joint statement announcing the cancellation of fall sports competition, at least until January 1st, due to the ongoing spread of the Coronavirus.
This decision falls in line with other strict guidelines Cornell proposed and will attempt to enforce in the upcoming hybrid semester. The statement refers to restrictions on “student and staff travel, requirements for social distancing, limits on group gatherings, and regulations for visitors to campus.” Athletics will be no exception.
Upon public health regulations, there may be an opportunity for phased practices. However, the Cornell and Ithaca community will miss the football and soccer season plus the first-half of the hockey and basketball season.
As for student-athletes, those involved in fall sports will not use a season of Ivy League or NCAA eligibility. Non-participation waivers will be available for incoming and returning athletes, but there is no guarantee for a fifth-year.
Additionally, the Ivy League was not as generous to spring-sport athletes who had their season cut-short, denying their additional year of eligibility as graduate students. The NCAA Division I Council initially voted to give back their year of eligibility, but the Ivy League says their denial is in accordance with previous standing policies.
A petition on Change.org circulating on the web is advocating for the Ivy League Council to reconsider. The petition cites negative implications on student-athletes’ financial and academic circumstances should they be forced to take a leave of absence and/or complete a 9th semester.
The story is developing, and we’ll continue to provide updates on WVBR platforms.
— Christopher Morales, WVBR News