COLORADO SPRINGS – November 24, 2020 — In a release Tuesday afternoon, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference listed its protocol for the conduct of winter sports during the 2020-2021 academic year. Plans were reviewed by the RMACs Student-Athlete Health and Safety Committee, Certified Athletic Trainers Committee, Athletic Administrators Committee and ultimately approved by the Presidents Council.
“We understand those following the RMAC have been anxious to learn of more concrete plans for our Winter Sports,” noted RMAC Commissioner Chris Graham. “We have all found that decisions made too far in advance will likely experience some level of change and our goal is to provide as much certainty to our plans during this exceptionally uncertain time. Additionally, our overriding goal has been to ensure that student-athlete health and safety has directed all decisions from beginning to end.”
All decisions are subject to change at any time due to institution, conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) guidelines as dictated by local, state and federal health policies and restrictions.
General Protocol
RMAC COVID-19 requirements include masking of all non-competing participants including officials.
Currently in Colorado, fans are not permitted in counties listed as “Level Red.” Parents and fans are encouraged to consult with their teams coach, the host institutions athletics website and the RMAC COVID-19 webpage at rmacsports.org/sports/2020/6/29/Covid-19.aspx for up-to-date information on attendance restrictions.
If local health authorities permit attendance at RMAC events, teams must come to mutual agreement on whether fans will be permitted.
Competition travel health and safety protocols are mandated by RMAC for all student-athletes and support staff.
Positive COVID-19 cases with student-athletes or support staff, and subsequent decisions to isolate and/or quarantine, will be made independently by each local public health authority.
Institutions/teams are permitted to “opt-out” of any RMAC-scheduled competition without penalty for concerns related to COVID-19. In Basketball and Wrestling these competitions will be considered “No Contests.”
New Mexico Highlands University has “opted-out” of Winter Sports competition in the Fall Semester due to state health restrictions.
Basketball Protocol
Student-athletes and associated team support staff are required to follow daily symptom checking protocols in addition to weekly testing.
The previously approved 22-game RMAC schedule shall remain intact, barring decisions by individual programs and institutions to not compete.
Following any No Contest declarations, institutions are permitted to fill the lost contest with an additional non-conference contest versus an RMAC team.
An RMAC Champion shall be declared if at least five teams complete 50% of their originally approve schedule – 11 games. The Regular Season Champion and RMAC Tournament qualifiers shall be determined by the use of the NCAA Division II RPI system. Teams must compete in at least 11 regularly scheduled contests to be eligible for the RMAC Tournament.
Wrestling Protocol
Student-athletes and associated team support staff are required to follow daily symptom checking protocols in addition to weekly testing.
Teams shall be permitted to schedule additional non-conference matches with RMAC opponents within NCAA Division II contest limits.
An RMAC Champion shall be declared if at least five teams complete 50% of their original round-robin schedule – 4 matches.
Swimming & Diving Protocol
Student-athletes and associated team support staff are required to follow daily symptom checking protocols in addition to surveillance testing.
Colorado Mesa University is currently the site of the RMAC Championship but the date has been moved back one week to Feb. 17-20, 2021.
Indoor Track and Field Protocol
Student-athletes and associated team support staff are required to follow daily symptom checking protocols in addition to surveillance testing.
Western Colorado University is currently the site of the RMAC Championship and the date shall remain Feb. 26-27, 2021.
