POTSDAM, N.Y.— SUNY Potsdam has announced that it will suspend its Fall 2020 athletic seasons and delay the start of its winter campaigns until January 1, 2021. The decision comes in response to ongoing health and safety concerns. Potsdam is following the lead of the State University of New York Athletic Conference, which announced its decision to do the same earlier today. (See the SUNYAC Announcement here)
 
"Like each of you, I'm deeply disappointed that we won't be able to watch our talented student-athletes compete until the new year," said Bears Interim Director of Athletics Mark Misiak. "Although this was a very difficult decision to make, at the end of the day, it was the correct one. Dare I say, the only one that could be made. Though sport plays an important part in all of our lives, nothing could or should ever come before everyone's safety and well-being. That's simply incontrovertible."
 
Despite these changes for the fall, Potsdam recognizes the importance of athletics participation to its student-athletes.
 
"Here at SUNY Potsdam, we are so blessed to be able to rely on a wonderful group of coaches and staff members," Misiak said. "I'm 100 percent confident they will continue to work tirelessly in order to provide our student-athletes meaningful, valuable and tangible experiences during the suspension of competition. Most of our fans only see the games and contests; the tip of the iceberg. What goes unnoticed, is the countless number of hours our staff and coaches put in behind the scenes."
 
See Misiak's full letter to Potsdam Bears Student-Athletes, Staff and Fans here.
 
The Bears men's and women's cross country, soccer and women's volleyball teams compete during the fall as part of the SUNYAC.
 
Please visit www.potsdam.edu/covid19 for all Potsdam campus COVID-19 updates.