Dear Otterbein Student-Athletes,

We hope you are doing well and remaining safe. Throughout the past several months, we have been working hard to prepare campus and are looking forward to your return. It has certainly been a trying and uncertain time, forcing us to rearrange many aspects at Otterbein as a result of the sweeping COVID-19 pandemic.

We are all adapting, trying to comprehend the full extent of necessary changes and striving to develop strategies that alleviate the impact of coronavirus — especially as it relates to athletics. The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) office, league presidents, athletic directors and other administrators have continued ongoing conversations, through information from the NCAA and CDC, regarding ways to still conduct varsity competition.

However, after considering many options, we have reluctantly decided to delay all competitions until January 2021 due to the ongoing health and safety concerns. While very difficult, the well-being of coaches and student-athletes has remained at the center of the OAC's decision making.

What this means is that our fall teams will not be competing against other schools. That doesn't mean you won't have a student-athlete experience in the fall. Our teams will still be meeting and preparing to compete when it is safe to do so. The OAC is committed to a spring schedule for all delayed sports — your season is delayed, not canceled.

Assuming the spread of the virus is under control, we plan to resume NCAA varsity competition for all sports in the second semester. Fall and winter schedules/timelines are currently under review, along with conference athletic directors focusing on options to preserve student-athlete eligibility.

We know this decision is heartbreaking and dejecting for student-athletes, coaches, support staff and campus communities. Athletic competition plays a significant role in the development of a person, and the experiences obtained as part of a team remain with you forever.

Some of our fondest memories since arriving to Otterbein have been cheering on our 21 varsity-sport programs and celebrating your countless accomplishments. Your efforts and impact have been truly remarkable. Our mission will be to get you back on the playing surface as quickly, and safely, as possible.

We also know that you are more than an athlete. Your college experience consists of academic adventures, creating relationships, setting goals and developing a path for life after Otterbein. We are still here to help you achieve all of those visions!

Our energy has now also shifted to creating a unique environment for student-athletes to still compete, albeit through different routes, with robust student programing. We are actively dedicating focus toward activities/events that promote physical fitness, teamwork, mental discipline and, of course, the raw competition you all seek.

These challenging times will pass. Let's remain strong, stay focused and take advantage of other opportunities still in our control. We are with you every step of the way, and look forward to seeing everyone back on campus very soon! For additional information, please visit our Athletics FAQ page.

Dawn Stewart
Director of Athletics/VP for Student Affairs

John Comerford, Ph.D.
President