For the Times

STEVENS POINT – In a joint decision, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and four other UW System institutions – UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh and UW-Platteville – have temporarily suspended intercollegiate sports at their branch campuses for the 2020-2021 academic year.

The one-year pause in sports reflects the additional challenges of facility cleaning and disinfecting, providing athletic trainers and other logistical issues posed by COVID-19.

Student-athletes attending the 10 two-year campuses represented by the five universities, including UW-Stevens Point’s Marshfield and Wausau campuses, compete in the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference.

“While we know the important role athletics plays in the development of our student-athletes and how these sports contribute to the quality of campus life at our branch locations, our priority is to ensure the health and safety of all students, faculty and staff during these trying times,” said Brad Duckworth, director of athletics at UW-Stevens Point.

“Like many difficult decisions we have had to make during the pandemic, including the cancelation of plays and concerts and the postponement of spring commencement, this wasn’t an easy one. Our coaches want what is best for students during the pandemic and are already planning for next year, when we intend to resume intercollegiate sports in Marshfield and Wausau.”

During the 2019-20 academic year, 25 students at the Marshfield campus competed in four intercollegiate sports: women’s volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s basketball and men’s golf.

Last year, 41 students at the Wausau campus participated in four sports last year: women’s volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s basketball and co-ed soccer.