Penn Athletics is moving into Ivy Phase Four, which allows for local, non-conference competition this spring. The Quakers can begin these games on Saturday, March 27.

“We are thrilled that we have advanced through the Ivy phases and that competition for our spring teams has been approved,” athletic director Dr. M. Grace Calhoun said in a news release. “It is a testament to the adherence by our student-athletes and coaches to the masking and distancing policies set forth in the Campus Compact, as well as the effort by our Divisional and University administration to create and implement policies and protocols, including frequent testing, that have allowed for safe athletic activity. There is no question that it has been a difficult year for Ivy League student-athletes and coaches, and we couldn't be more excited to see our teams compete this weekend.”

On February 18, the Ivy League announced it would not hold league competition this spring, citing continued COVID-19 concerns. Athletic training and practices were still permitted, as long as they were in accordance with each institution’s procedures and state and local regulations.

The final item of that February release cited the potential opportunities for local, non-conference competition if “public health conditions substantially improve,” though it was unclear how or if that would come to fruition for Ivy League teams.

The NCAA Division I Council approved a waiver Wednesday that Ivy League student-athletes who compete this spring will not use a year of eligibility, provided the student-athlete competes in less than 30 percent of the maximum permissible contests/dates of competition in their sport and does not compete in individual or team postseason competition.

The Penn women’s team has three games scheduled for April, all at home at Franklin Field. The first game is against La Salle on April 22. The men’s team, meanwhile, has yet to announce a schedule.

Penn coach Karin Corbett told US Lacrosse Magazine contributor Justin Feil in February that the local radius is about 40 miles.

“Phase Four is allowing visitors to come and leave campus,” Corbett said. “Luckily, we have some local teams. We hope they’ll play us. We’re asking if they have a game canceled, call us first. We’ll jump in even with short notice. We have a few are on our schedule now, but we understand they might have to go with a sure thing.

“We’ll have to see how we can fit into a schedule. We’re asking teams if one of their games gets canceled, we’ll be the first they call.”