GAME ON!  BUILDING ON OUR CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURE!

STANDISH, Maine - Although Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play for this fall has been postponed, Saint Joseph's College is committed to providing a safe and meaningful athletic experience for student athletes this fall and throughout the 2020-21 academic year.  Athletic Department staff members are diligently working on simple and straightforward guidelines that will reflect the College's Core Values and be aligned with campus protocols and guidance from local, state and national agencies. The fundamentals of our approach will include: Pre-Participation Medical Clearance, Screening, Testing, Enhanced Cleaning, appropriate Physical Distancing, use of PPE, and Modified Training Approaches.

Director of Athletics and longtime coach Will Sanborn has set an encouraging tone:

Will Sanborn '86 Director of Athletics

Dr. Kathleen Clements Faculty Athletic Representative

Dr. Matt Goodwin Associate Vice President & Dean of Students

"We're excited and optimistic about what we can offer student-athletes this fall and in the coming school year. We understand the seriousness of COVID-19 and are committed to safety, but thankfully the situation in Maine is very conducive to a safe return to play. We're looking forward to seeing our athletes back on campus, and we are committed to their continued development, athletically, academically, socially, and spiritually. We are confident we will continue "Building on our Championship Culture."

What will Athletics look like this fall at Saint Joseph's College?

Saint Joseph's College is committed to providing a meaningful athletic experience in the following ways;

• Safety – will remain a priority, not only with regard to COVID-19, but also considering the mental and physical health of our student athletes.  The Athletic Department's plans will be based on the guidance of the CDC, State of Maine, the NCAA, and the College's Pandemic Response Team.

• Commitment – Saint Joseph's College will continue its commitment to our student athletes – both in their academic and athletic pursuits. 

• Flexibility & Creativity – Athletic Department staff will maintain a flexible and creative approach. We know that the way we deliver the athletics experience will be modified, but also know our coaches and student athletes are up to the challenge, including continually assessing and adapting our plans in light of changing conditions. 

• Learning Environment - We will continue to provide a learning environment that allows our athletes to develop through the leadership and guidance of our outstanding athletic department staff. This will include:
• • Strength and Conditioning
  • Small Group Instruction
  • Team Training & Practice Sessions
  • Internal Play
  • Contests against outside opponents if possible – particularly with institutions in Maine and New Hampshire
• Opportunities- When student athletes return to Campus this fall they will see several new and exciting opportunities that will foster their growth and development:
  • Strength and Conditioning – we have hired a Head Strength and Conditioning Coach who will greatly enhance the development of our athletes. 
  • Athletic Training – we have added another full-time trainer to our staff, a position critical to the health and safety of our student athletes. 
  • Skill Development – our coaches will focus on improving our athletes' individual skill levels. 
  • Leadership Programming – expanded opportunities with our Student Athlete Leadership Academy. 
  • Additionally, all students will benefit from expanded outdoor recreation and intramurals programs and access to the College's Fitness Center, which is open using heightened COVID-19 safety protocols.

• NCAA Compliance and Waivers – will play an important role in understanding the opportunities that will be provided. Currently this includes:
• • Division III student-athletes will not be charged with participation for the 2020-21 season if their team completes 50% or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • Student Athletes will receive a two-semester/three-quarter extension of eligibility if the following conditions are met:
  • • The student-athlete was unable to participate in their sport during the 2020-21 academic year due to the impact of COVID-19, or the student-athlete's teams completed 50% or less of the sport's maximum contests/dates of competition during the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19.
    • The student-athlete was otherwise eligible for competition during the 2020-21 academic year.

Graduate Studies -To allow our student athletes to use all of their NCAA eligibility, we will offer post-graduate student athletes significantly discounted tuition in selected graduate programs and, pending availability, campus housing. More information to follow.

"Student Athletes at Saint Joseph's College work hard, play hard and study hard. They are even competitive in the classroom. Many of our teams challenge each other to have the highest GPA ratings each semester! It is a joy for faculty to watch students compete both in class and in their chosen sport. Welcome back!"  Dr. Kathleen Clements – Faculty Athletic Representative

"While the pandemic has cast uncertainty on so many things, one thing that has been consistent at our College is the commitment and leadership of our student-athletes.  Navigating change successfully, and with excellence, is something our Monks are known for, on the athletic fields, pool, courts, diamonds, courses, and slopes - and it will be great to have them back in action."

- Matt Goodwin, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students

Remaining Flexible & Creative - Exploring Possibilities

We have an outstanding professional staff in athletics, ready to be responsive as things change, and dedicated to Building on our Championship Culture. Some of the possibilities we are exploring include:

• Competition with other colleges and universities, particularly in Maine and New Hampshire. 
• Expansion of fall traditional seasons; proposed flexibility regarding playing and practice seasons.
• Moving some fall sports to the winter and spring seasons. 
• Winter and Spring sport seasons with a greater degree of normalcy. 

Saint Joseph's College Athletics is ready to move forward in a safe and meaningful way.  We are excited about the possibilities for learning and growth during this challenging time. We are confident that this challenge will bring out the best in all of us.