VILLANOVA, Pa.—In alignment with current University health and safety protocols and following a meeting of the BIG EAST Conference Board of Directors, Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson communicated several updates today related to the reopening of Villanova Athletics.
 
Varsity Sports Competition
Based upon current data, the BIG EAST Board of Directors decided to eliminate non-conference competition for Fall sports in 2020 and will continue to evaluate the landscape with health officials and the NCAA to determine any future decisions. No decision is being made at this time regarding BIG EAST fall sports conference competition and championships. This decision affects the following six sports who compete in the BIG EAST and play their championship seasons in the Fall: field hockey, volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's cross country and women's cross country.
 
Villanova Athletics is continuing to work with CAA Football and its member institutions to review options for the football season, with further information forthcoming in the near future. Plans are also still under review for sports whose non-championship segments occur during the Fall season, including golf, rowing, men's tennis and women's tennis.
 
The current situation regarding a return to athletic competition on college campuses remains fluid and we simply do not have all of the answers at this time. Villanova Athletics is continuing to examine all scenarios related to a return to varsity sports competition and we are evaluating the opportunities for student-athletes to train and condition with their coaches and receive athletic instruction upon returning to campus.
 
"We are committed to examining every opportunity for our student-athletes regarding their athletic activities and their overall collegiate experience," said Jackson. "Villanova Athletics looks forward to working with campus leadership and public health authorities to identify a course of action that maintains the health and safety of our student-athletes, athletics staff and the community."
 
Student-athletes will return to campus beginning on Tuesday, August 11, with the general student body. A staged arrival is planned for all residential students, who will be assigned a specific move-in date and time between August 11-14.
 
Club Sports and Intramurals
Traditional intramural sport leagues are suspended for the Fall 2020 semester. Villanova Athletics is currently reviewing safe activities to replace these sports for the Fall 2020 semester, and an announcement about club sports will be forthcoming.
 
Fitness Centers
Villanova Athletics is reviewing options for student fitness center usage, taking into account current safety and sanitation protocols. Students may be required to make online appointments to use the University's fitness centers and recreational spaces to avoid lines outside and to allow for proper social distancing. More information about student recreation space will be made available as the semester begins.
 
Members of the Friends of Villanova Program will not be permitted to use the Davis Center, pool, library or recreational facilities as they have in the past. Athletic facilities (Finneran Pavilion, Villanova Stadium, Davis Center, Jake Nevin Field House, etc.) will additionally be closed to visitors for the time being.

Caritas Task Force
Villanova Athletics created the Caritas Task Force to serve as the strategic working group that will plan for the reopening of the Athletic Department. The task force is comprised of Athletic Department senior officers, head coaches and selected staff members who are working collaboratively with all Villanova University directives and protocols. Prior to the start of the Fall semester, the task force will issue recommendations related to the resumption of daily operations in Villanova Athletics that minimize health risks to student-athletes, staff and the community. The specific focus of the task force is on the reopening of Villanova Athletics indoor and outdoor facilities and use by student-athletes, the campus community that utilizes our recreation and fitness facilities, and our fans and external constituents who support and attend athletic events.