ST. PAUL, Minn. – As part of our continued efforts to monitor and respond to developments of the COVID-19 outbreak, the University of Northwestern has officially suspended all athletic operations for next week, March 15-22. This includes all practices, games and team functions.
 
Following next week's suspension, the UNW athletic department will re-evaluate the situation and make an additional announcement regarding the future of spring sports seasons. Per the NCAA's announcement on Thursday, all NCAA spring sports championships have been canceled.
 
At this time, the safety of our students, coaches, staff, officials, fans and families is our top priority. We are continually monitoring the situation and will post regular updates on www.unweagles.com as the situation is extremely fluid.

On Friday, March 13, the NCAA released the following regarding participation/eligibility impacts:
We have received numerous questions regarding the implications of these decisions, as well as the implications of actions member institutions and conferences have made or might take at the local level in reaction to COVID-19.  Today, the Division III Administrative Committee took the following actions, effective immediately, on behalf of the Division III Management and Presidents Councils:

• Sport sponsorship and membership requirements.   Approved a blanket waiver of any deficiencies in sports sponsorship requirements related to spring sports occurring as a result of actions taken in response to COVID-19. This would not apply to sports sponsorship issues related to fall or winter sports.

• Student-athlete seasons of participation and eligibility.  Approved a blanket waiver for all student-athletes participating in spring sports as follows: (a) Waive the use of a season of participation for all student-athletes in spring sports.  If an institution continues or re-starts its season, this relief would still exist; and (b) Waive the use of the spring semester towards their limit of 10 semesters/15 quarters, regardless of whether they used a season.  

• Playing and practice seasons exceptions and extra benefits.  Institutions should exercise flexibility in the best interest of their student-athletes with respect to playing seasons provisions and extra benefits through the conclusion of the 2019-20 academic year.  The committee directed staff to assist with applying flexibility in these areas on a case-by-case basis, when requested by institutions.  Examples include allowing flexibility for playing season adjustments occurring during the Spring 2020 semester and flexibility to assist students with travel, lodging, and meals associated with being displaced due to their campus being closed.

 
The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference has a Resource Page, where they will continually post updates and links to our member institution's announcements.
 
For campus-specific updates, the University of Northwestern is consistently releasing updates and information on their COVID-19 Page.