GLIAC-- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors approved the winter and spring competition calendar Tuesday based on evolving COVID-19 testing, travel and venue protocols. The approved schedule models for fall sports competing in the spring feature a reduced conference-only regular season, plus a conference tournament.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Chancellor Thomas L. Keon said PNW joins the other GLIAC members in welcoming the return to intercollegiate competition.

"The health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans and the community is the highest priority of GLIAC and Purdue Northwest," Keon said. "We look forward to a safe return to competition following the GLIAC protocols."

"I am excited for the student-athletes to have the opportunity to compete," said Rick Costello, PNW Director of Athletics. "The Pride student-athletes have worked extremely hard in their small pod skill sessions and strength training workouts. I applaud the student-athletes' determination and resiliency throughout the pandemic."

During the past several months, GLIAC athletic directors, athletic trainers and the league's COVID-19 Task Force have assembled safe competition protocols and several schedule revisions. The GLIAC is establishing consistent COVID-19 testing, safe training, travel, hosting and in-game protocols among its 12 members. Presidents and chancellors will make a final decision on testing requirements at a later date. The GLIAC will reveal the basketball schedules on Thursday, Nov. 12, via its Youtube channel. The women's and men's basketball conference schedule will begin on January 7, 2021 with non-conference games prior to January 1, 2021 to be determined. The Men's Ice Hockey scheduled is being drafted and will be released in the coming weeks.

Fall sports will compete in the spring semester with the Women's Volleyball team starting play on February 19, 2021 and the Women's and Men's soccer teams beginning play on March 19, 2021. The Fall 2020 women's tennis season will be played in the spring in conjunction with the men's season. The Women's and Men's Cross Country teams will have the opportunity to compete at GLIAC Track and Field events.

Spring 2021 sports schedules have remained as-is, but all schedules are subject to change due to the pandemic.

The complete GLIAC release can be viewed via the conference website.