Warren Wilson College cancels athletics until March

Owls basketball and swimming grounded through winter

The Valley Echo
December 16, 2020

The Warren Wilson College basketball and swimming teams will not participate in competitive athletics until at least March 1, 2021, the Swannanoa school announced.

The decision to cancel the winter athletic season was made in response to rising COVID-19 numbers throughout the country, according to Director of Athletics and Adventure Sports Joni Williamson.

“With the increasing concerns about the virus nationally, and particularly as it relates to athletics, we have determined that conducting outside competition safely is not possible at this time,” Williamson said in a press release. “The safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and community is our highest priority.”

While student-athletes may not be competing with other schools this winter, they will participate in creative and meaningful team and practice activities within an environment that promotes teamwork, physical fitness, leadership opportunities and skill development. The activities will be conducted within the college's health protocols as well as state, NCAA and USCAA guidelines. 

A decision on the status of all other competition will come at a later date.

WWC ended the fall semester in November with zero positive on-campus cases of COVID-19. Warren Wilson was the only college in Western North Carolina to have no positive cases within its residential community this semester. Administrators said they think not having competitive athletic events in the fall contributed to keeping the campus safe.