On Tuesday, the Ivy League assured spring teams that their seasons would be played despite concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
On Wednesday, however, the Ivy League presidents voted unanimously to cancel the remainder of all spring seasons, which includes women’s lacrosse, with half of the conference campuses moving to remote learning to address coronavirus fears.
“They’re devastated, especially my seniors,” Penn coach Karin Corbett said. “There’s not a whole lot to say. Just, we’re sorry.”
The count of confirmed cases of coronavirus has climbed to 1,000 in the United States. Harvard, Princeton, Columbia and Penn have all moved to remote learning to try to keep students away from being in close quarters that could lead to spread of the disease.
“Given this situation, it is not feasible for practice and competition to continue,” the Ivy League Council of Presidents said in a joint statement issued Wednesday.
Many schools this week were on spring break. Penn just announced it was switching to remote learning on Wednesday, and Corbett acknowledged the gravity of the situation but also addressed her team’s helpless feeling.
“The World Health Organization is saying this is a pandemic,” Corbett said. “You have health officials saying one thing and the government saying another thing. The problem is it’s played down a lot, and I think the Ivy League is listening to the World Health Organization and what’s going on. That’s where they’re coming from, but it’s devastating to us. It’s devastating to our seniors who have worked so hard, and I think we have a really good team this year and I was really excited about this season. This team has worked really hard all year, and I’m really proud of them. I’m devastated for them.”
The Ivy League has three top-20 teams. No. 6 Dartmouth is unbeaten at 5-0 under first-year coach Alex Frank. Katie Bourque ran her career goals total to 98 in the Big Green’s 18-5 win over New Hampshire on Saturday. Bourque ranks seventh in Division I with 4.2 goals per game (21 on the season).
No. 11 Penn lost for the first time this year, a 19-15 defeat to No. 3 Loyola on Saturday. Penn features a Tewaaraton candidate in senior Gabby Rosenzweig. The Quakers were scheduled to play at Duke this Saturday. Corbett held an emotional team meeting following the announcement that the remaining games would be wiped out.
“It’s devastating to the coaches and players and everybody,” Corbett said. “They want to play. They want to have their college be normal. No one has been through this. It’s sad.”
No. 17 Princeton is 3-2 but has been playing without one of its top attackers, Tess D’Orsi. Princeton’s Kyla Sears, a junior, is seventh nationally in points per game (9.8). The Tigers were to travel to Jacksonville next Tuesday.
“I believe in the judgment and good intentions of our University President and his colleagues across the Ivy League,” said Princeton coach Chris Sailer in a statement released by the school. “I trust this decision was not taken lightly and was made in the best interests of the health and welfare of the Princeton community and in consultation with the leading experts in the field. As a coach, I am devastated for my team and especially our seniors. We take great pride in representing Princeton and we are sad to not have that opportunity going forward this season.”
Cornell (4-2), Yale (3-2), Brown (4-3) are all off to winning starts. Harvard is 3-3. Columbia’s coach, Andrea Cofrin, resigned Monday after an 0-7 start and Taylor Pennell was tabbed as interim head coach. Cornell just beat Columbia and was to host No. 15 James Madison on Sunday.
“Our Cornell team is devastated,” Big Red coach Jenny Graap said. “My assistants and I gathered our players to literally grieve together over the Ivy presidents’ decision. We are trying to wrap our heads around the decision being made for the greater good. … Right now our hearts break for our seven amazing seniors. Their strength, leadership and passion for our program will not be forgotten.”
Harvard, which had lost a pair of close games, won two straight and was scheduled to host New Hampshire on the day the season was canceled.
“We are saddened that our season has ended,” Harvard coach Devon Wills said. “However, we understand and trust in the leadership of Harvard and the rest of the Ivy League that this was the right decision for the protection of the student-athletes and their families. The Harvard administration did a great job preparing us for many different scenarios and made sure to communicate everything they could in an urgent manner. We are grateful to our players for their hard work and dedicated efforts throughout the year and especially to our seniors who have made this team a very special group. Our hearts go out to all of the spring sports that have been impacted by this situation. We hope that everyone stays healthy and safe as they travel home and complete their academic requirements.”
As Ivy student-athletes return to their homes to complete their studies, there are many unknowns about their futures in the wake of the cancellation. There is much to be sorted out in the coming weeks, including the potential for additional NCAA and Ivy League athletic eligibility.
“We have a million questions,” Corbett said. “We want to know if they’re going to get another year at our schools. Does everybody get a year? Do the seniors get a year? The Ivy League doesn’t allow for graduate [athletes], but are they going to make an exception? We don’t know any of this stuff. We’re getting all these questions, and all they’ve told us is your season is canceled. We have as many questions as everybody else.”
The Ivy League office issued a statement late Wednesday that gives one idea: “We are planning to apply to the NCAA for a blanket waiver for an additional year of eligibility for all student-athletes.”
No timeline for that application was given.