Winter 2021 Semester Athletics Update (September 30, 2020)

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students, 

Since March, all UM-Dearborn students have had to make changes to how they participate in extracurricular programs but few have been impacted more than our student-athletes. They have trained hard and honed athletic skills to represent our community by donning the University of Michigan-Dearborn uniform. While many student programs have been able to move online, athletics inherently must be done in person and on campus, access to which has been limited to promote the health and safety of our population and broader region against the spread of COVID-19. After careful consideration for the health and well-being of our students and staff, we are announcing that UM-Dearborn will not participate in NAIA, ACHA or club athletic training, practice or competition until at least March 1, 2021. The Wellness Center will also remain closed through this date. We will reassess our circumstances and options in early February with the hope that circumstances might allow a return to competition within the appropriate public health and safety guidelines. 

Although it will be disappointing not to see the Maize and Blue taking the court, ice, fields and other venues sooner, student-athletes coming back to campus and holding sporting events would be inconsistent with the decision to remain in a fully remote educational mode until the end of February. University leaders continue tracking COVID-19 and the predicted rise and fall of cases in our region, incorporating new information into all decision making. The university remains committed to the success of our student-athletes and will be honoring all athletic scholarships throughout the 2020-21 academic year while continuing to provide all support services. 

This decision reflects our commitment to student safety and the promotion of public health during this pandemic. As winter arrives, experts expect a significant increase in flu and COVID-19 cases. We will continue to consider and evaluate UM-Dearborn’s participation in sporting events this spring with the sincere hope that we can begin competition in March, coinciding with the university’s return to limited in-person instruction on campus, if COVID-19 conditions permit. 

By working together, we can stop the spread of COVID-19, keep everyone healthy, and resume the activities that we all love as soon as possible. 

Go Safe - Go Blue - Go Dearborn!

Domenico Grasso 
Chancellor 

Matt Beaudry
Director of Athletics & Recreation