NIC’s basketball, volleyball, soccer seasons pushed back to early 2021

Revised wrestling season remains intact, as does NWAC golf season

If North Idaho College is going to have a sports season in 2020-21, it’s going to be mostly in 2021.

In its effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Northwest Athletic Conference announced late Thursday afternoon it is pushing most of its sports in the 2020-21 academic year into calendar year 2021.

All of NIC’s sports except wrestling are in the NWAC. Wrestling remains in the NJCAA.

“I think the move provides the safest environment possible, and still leaves the door open for sports to happen,” NIC athletic director Bobby Lee said.

In men’s and women’s basketball, games can begin no earlier than Feb. 13, provided all health requirements are met. In volleyball, matches can begin March 27. Men’s and women’s soccer can start March 3, and softball can begin March 13.

Men’s and women’s golf will remain a fall and spring sport, with the first fall matches no earlier than Sept. 12, and first spring matches no sooner than March 8.

Here are the conference championship dates for each sport — men’s and women’s basketball, May 14-16; softball, May 21-23; volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer, both June 4-6; golf, TBA.

All championship sites in those sports are TBA.

The Press reported three weeks ago that NIC wrestling’s regular season would start in January, rather than in late October/early December, as determined by the NJCAA. NIC will still be able to practice beginning Oct. 1, but after a month the Cardinals will take a break and resume practice on Jan. 1, with its first meet no sooner than Jan. 20. Nationals will be April 23-24, rather than its usual spot in late February or early March.

The NWAC announced a four-phased approach to starting each sport.

In the Grey Phase, student-athletes shelter for two weeks within the county of their school, prior to moving into the Red Phase.

The Red Phase entails limited group practice (less than 10 people).

The Yellow Phase means practice with less than 50 athletes.

The Green Phase means full team practices, and allows for scrimmages and games.

Here are the dates for Red, Yellow and Green phases for each sport:

Men’s and women’s basketball — Red, Jan. 16; Yellow, Jan. 30; Green, Feb. 13.

Volleyball — Red, Feb. 27; Yellow, March 13; Green, March 27.

Men’s and women’s soccer — Red, Feb. 3; Yellow, Feb. 17; Green, March 3.

Men’s and women’s golf — Fall, Red, Aug. 15; Yellow, Aug. 29; Green, Sept. 12. Spring, Red, Feb. 8; Yellow, Feb. 22; Green, March 8.

Softball — Red, Feb. 13; Yellow, Feb. 27; Green, March 13.

Volleyball and soccer practice normally starts in August, basketball practice in October. Softball is a spring sport.

“We have been thoughtful, comprehensive, flexible, and listened to our constituents,” NWAC executive director Marco Azurdia said in the conference release. “The plan pushed the conversations with our member college administrators thus leading to the Executive Board’s decision. We have said from the beginning that flexibility, creativity, adaptability, and patience are essential to the success of our return to play. NWAC will continue to follow the guidance and direction of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local and state health agencies, and member college presidents. Should conditions dictate a change from these guidelines, we have contingencies in place that will help us address NWAC sports.”

Details of what can happen in the fall, as far as “preseason” workouts for NWAC teams, is still undecided, but will be based on safety and health protocols, Lee said.

“I cannot speculate what the spring holds,” Lee said. “We are going to focus on our student athletes, their programs and our staff to make the best experience we can within the rules we have to follow.”

Information: nwac.prestosports.com/COVID19 or nwac.prestosports.com/SportsMedicine