Waubonsee Community College has announced that its 2020-2021 men’s and women’s basketball seasons are officially canceled.
While the college had planned to launch the competitive season, even as recently as last month, statewide COVID-19 numbers, along with other factors, led to the decision announced today.
“It is heartbreaking when student-athletes, who train and practice so hard, don’t get the chance to compete,” said Waubonsee Athletics Manager Dana Wagner. “But in times like these, safety has to come before sports.”
Waubonsee is resuming limited on-campus classes with the start of its spring semester on Jan. 19, but while courses can be conducted with the proper safety protocols in place, a high-contact sport like basketball cannot.
Of the eight community colleges in the Illinois Skyway College Conference, only Morton College is currently set to have a competitive basketball season, with College of Lake County due to make a decision later this month.
Limiting the virus’ spread among community college student-athletes can be especially challenging.
“Unlike university student-athletes, our student-athletes do not live in a bubble, and we are unable to ensure they do not contract or spread the virus,” Wagner said.
