ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth's winter athletics teams have been approved for Empire 8 Conference competition in 2021 with a tentative start date of March 1. 

The news came about Monday as a result of a unanimous agreement by the Empire 8 Presidents' Council. The decision impacts men's and women's basketball, indoor track and field and swimming and diving. Specific schedules for winter sports have not yet been released, but teams will be able to begin formal practices in February. The safety and well-being of its student-athletes and campus communities remains the primary goal of the Empire 8. As such, these plans are contingent upon federal, state and local health guidance and the status of all contests will be subject to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Nazareth's case, students are scheduled to resume classes for the second semester Jan. 18, 2021. Winter sports practices may resume in February. Nazareth also has winter sports teams in men's and women's hockey and men's volleyball. The hockey teams compete in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference, while the men's volleyball team is a member of the United Volleyball Conference. Competition guidelines for those sports will be determined soon.
 
The council approved March 1 as a tentative start of its conference basketball schedule while the Empire 8 Indoor Track & Field and Swimming & Diving championship dates have not been finalized. The league continues to support the NCAA Guidelines for the Resocialization of Sport and developed a detailed Pandemic Protocol Handbook. These plans include a rigorous testing strategy as well as protocols for travel and meals to ensure health and safety of all participants.

"We feel that this is the best-case scenario for our student-athletes," said Nazareth Athletic Director Pete Bothner. "While other conferences around us have canceled winter sports altogether, we are pleased to be able to offer a competitive option for our student-athletes. While there is still much that needs to happen before we can compete, this announcement is a positive step in the effort to return to play."
 
Fans ae encouraged to monitor the Empire 8 website, as well as each member institution's athletics website, for updated schedules throughout the coming weeks as they are finalized.
 
Empire 8 Presidents Council
Mark Zupan, Alfred University
Chuck Lindsay, Elmira College
Margaret Drugovich, Hartwick College
Shirley Mullen, Houghton College
Amy Storey, Keuka College
Elizabeth Paul, Nazareth College
Christopher Ames, Russell Sage College
Gerard Rooney, St. John Fisher College
Laura Casamento, Utica College
 
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.