NWC, Willamette Moving Toward Return to Competition this Spring
By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University and the Northwest Conference have announced plans to return to athletic competition this spring after not competing during the fall semester due to COVID-19. Tentative schedules have now been released for the fall sports of volleyball and men's and women's soccer, the winter sports of men's and women's swimming, and the spring sports of baseball, men's and women's golf, women's lacrosse, softball, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's track and field.
"I am very happy to be able to announce these schedules and a planned return to competition for many of our programs," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Rob Passage. "We do so with an understanding that we are still operating within safety guidelines set by state and local governments, which at this time is especially challenging for our indoor sports as the guidelines prohibit us from opening up our pool, gyms, and fitness facilities. While the schedules are a great first step, we must continue to remain flexible as we navigate this pandemic."
All posted schedules will include this important statement from the conference - The NWC schedules can be changed or canceled at any time as we continue to monitor and work within local, state, and federal health directives.
Due to differences in the COVID-19 guidance in each state, the initial schedules for fall and winter sports - volleyball, soccer, and swimming - only include contests against their NWC opponents located in Oregon. Volleyball teams will play each other two times, while soccer teams will play each opponent two or three times. Swimming teams will meet each opponent once.
In the spring sports, the NWC hopes to have all teams compete against each other. Baseball and softball will feature a set of NWC series with four games against each conference foe. All games in a series will be held at the same location to minimize travel. Lacrosse teams will play a two-game series against each NWC foe, with both games at one site. Tennis will involve a single round-robin schedule, while golf will feature three NWC events, and track and field will feature the NWC Multi-Event Championships and the NWC Championships. Additional non-conference events may be scheduled based on the availability of opponents, facilities, and staffing.
Due to safety and health concerns, no spectators will be allowed to attend any of Willamette's home events this spring unless protocols change later in the semester. Live streaming will be provided for most home events with links listed at wubearcats.com.
National championships in all NCAA Division III fall sports have been canceled for 2020-21. The NCAA has not yet decided about national championships for winter or spring sports.