Games Will Go On At State System Universities

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (EYT) — While professors at the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities are on strike, coaches of athletic teams in the Pa. State Athletic Conference are still in negotiations and are prepared to lead their teams in competition.

With the announcement (Wednesday) morning that faculty members at 14 of our 18 member institutions have elected to strike, the PSAC is hopeful that all athletic contests will continue as scheduled throughout the duration of the strike,” said Chris Parker, Director of Strategic Communications/New Media for the PSAC.

There were 14 athletic contests scheduled Wednesday through the PSAC, six men’s soccer matches, seven women’s soccer matches and one volleyball match. Member schools confirmed all 14 contests would take place as scheduled. There are no scheduled contests Thursday.

The coaches at the 14 PASSHE member institutions will not be on strike; however, the certified athletic trainers at these institutions are members of the faculty union.

Member institutions have contingency plans in place for medical services coverage during this time.

At Clarion University, Dave Love, CUP Director of Marketing and Communications said the games will go on.

“The athletes are being taken care of, but all the teams have had to make adjustments to their schedules due to the fewer number of trainers. We are engaging the athletic trainers to meet NCAA requirements,” Love said.

“Our athletic competitions, like those throughout the system and conference, will continue as planned. We have made arrangements for services which will provide for the safety of our student-athletes and meet all NCAA requirements for sanctioned competition.”

Additionally, most members of the athletic department administration are members of the faculty union at those same institutions.

Student-athletes are cautioned not to make any changes to their academic schedule during this time, particularly dropping classes that may result in changes to full-time enrollment status.

“Our first priority is the care and service to our student-athletes,” said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray.  “I am hopeful that this issue will resolve quickly and normal operations return to our member campuses as soon as possible.”

The PSAC Office will monitor the situation daily and assist our member institutions as needed.

The PSAC has 18-member institutions, 14 of which are members of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education plus Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, Seton Hill University and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.


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