On July 14 the NJCAA announced its plan of action for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year, forcing the majority of competition to be played during the spring semester.
The most recent plan of action shifts all close-contact fall sports to the spring semester. For USU Eastern this means volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer will have to adjust their traditional schedules.
Spring sports competition remains intact with minor adjustments to dates. These sports include baseball and softball. All winter sports competition will begin in January with a majority of championship seasons moved from March to April. This will impact men’s and women’s basketball.
Along with the adjustments to competition season and championship dates, the NJCAA has provided information as it relates to scrimmage and practice dates and allowances in the fall.
Men’s and Women’s Soccer:
Fall Practice:
* Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages from August 15, 2020 through November 15, 2020.
* Maximum of four scrimmage dates against outside competition. Each scrimmage limited to no more than two outside opponenets.
Spring Season:
* Practice will be permitted to begin on March 15, 2021.
* Competition will be permitted to begin on April 3, 2020.
* Maximum of 14 games through May 15, 2021.
* All region competition will be completed by May 24, 2021.
* NJCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships begin June 2, 2021.
Women’s Volleyball:
Fall Practice:
* Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages from August 15, 2020 through November 15, 2020.
*Maximum of five scrimmage dates against outside competition. Each scrimmage limited to no more than two outside opponents.
Spring Season:
* Practice will be permitted to begin starting January 4, 2021.
* Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 22, 2021.
* Maximum of 20 competition dates through March 20, 2021.
* All region competition completed by April 3, 2021.
* NJCAA Volleyball Championships held April 8-10, 2021.
Men’s and Women’s Basketball:
Fall Practice:
* Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages within September 15, 2020- December 15, 2020.
*Maximum of five scrimmage dates against outside competition. Each scrimmage limited to two outside opponents.
Spring Season:
* Practice will be permitted to begin starting January 11, 2021.
* Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 29, 2021.
* Maximum of 22 games through March 27, 2021.
* All region championship competition completed by April 3, 2021.
*All Championship competition must be completed by April 10, 2021.
* NJCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships beginning April 19, 2021.
NJCAA Baseball:
Fall Practice:
* Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages within September 5, 2020 through November 15, 2020.
* Maximum of 15 scrimmages against outside competition.
Spring Season:
* Practice will be permitted to begin starting January 10, 2021.
* Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 22, 2021.
* Maximum of 56 games against outside competition.
* NJCAA Division 1 Baseball World Series held May 29, 2021 through June 4/5, 2021.
NJCAA Softball:
Fall Practice:
* Permitted 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages within September 5, 2020 through November 15, 2020.
* Maximum of seven scrimmage dates against outside competition.
Spring Season:
* Practice will be permitted to begin starting January 10, 2021.
* Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 22, 2021.
* Maximum of 30 dates against outside competition.
* Softball Championships held May 26-29, 2021.
USU Eastern Campus President Greg Dart was a recent guest on KOAL’s Drive Time Sports. During his time on the show he talked about the NJCAA’s announcement and what it means for USU Eastern. Listen below: