LOCH SHELDRAKE -- The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) announced earlier this week that they were cancelling all upcoming basketball championships as well as spring competition, effective immediately.

“In light of the progressive evolvement of the COVID-19 situation, the NJCAA has decided to end all competition for the remainder of the academic year,” stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President and CEO. “As an association, the NJCAA exhausted all possible avenues to potentially postpone competition for both upcoming basketball championships and spring sport competition. We believe following the recommendations of the CDC is in the best interest of our member colleges and our student-athletes.”

The NJCAA says spring competition includes all practices, regular season, postseason, and national championship play.

Regarding eligibility for spring sports, no spring sport student-athlete who was enrolled at a member college in 2020 will be charged a year of participation.

Along with the cancellation of competition, all on and off-campus recruiting for all sports will be halted until April 15 with further evaluation to be assessed at that point in time.

The NJCAA will explore the opportunity to expand allowable Letters of Intent for spring sports for both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years under the recommendation of the NJCAA Eligibility Committee.

The decision affects SUNY Sullivan's men's and women's basketball teams that earned a trip to Nationals in April.

“Although we are extremely disappointed that the tournaments were ultimately canceled, we understand the seriousness of the situation and support the decision,” SUNY Sullivan Director of Athletics Chris DePew said. “We are proud of our amazing student athletes and truly believe that both teams had a great chance to win a national championship. We will get through this and come back stronger than ever! Go Generals!”