Editor's note: This story first appeared in the winter 2020 issue of the Hearts Together, a special joint campus magazine publication of Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor.
In an effort to maintain the safety and competitive caliber of collegiate-level programs within their
regions, several of the governing conferences for Concordia University Wisconsin athletics have decided to push competitions to the spring semester.
Impacted fall sports at CUW included men’s and women’s cross country, golf, and soccer; field hockey and football; and women’s tennis and volleyball. The winter sports of men’s and women’s basketball, ice hockey, and indoor track and field; wrestling; and ACHA men’s ice hockey were also disrupted. Esports, as well as men’s and women’s cross country, golf, and ice hockey continued non-conference competitions during the fall.
Teams met (safely distanced) throughout the fall season for conditioning and training. Coaches’ efforts to maintain the team dynamic proved a winning compromise for many student-athletes. Concordia retained nearly 90 percent of its student-athletes from last academic year to 2020–21. CUW’s student-athlete population makes up 32 percent of the university’s traditional undergraduate enrollment.
“It’s definitely been a disappointment to not have our typical season, but I’m so grateful that Concordia did in fact return to in-person instruction this year,” said Morgan Bolz, a member of the women’s soccer team. “Being around my teammates and coaches has really kept me grounded and motivated even though things look different this year.”
Keep up with CUW athletics at cuwfalcons.com.
The winter 2020 Hearts Together magazine hit mailboxes in mid-November. View a PDF version of the magazine here. If you are not on our mailing list, but are interested in receiving a free copy, email Jennifer.Hackmann@cuaa.edu.
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