Dear Catamount Country,

I hope this communication finds you well, staying healthy and making the best of these challenging times. As many of you know, UVM has been able to successfully re-open campus this fall thanks to a exceptional campus-wide effort led by our students who have fully committed themselves to doing their part to protect each other and our extended community.  Catamount student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff have been an important part of this success story, exhibiting remarkable discipline, patience and resolve as they've worked through the NCAA's three-phased sport re-socialization protocol in preparation for the resumption of team activity. 

Below are some additional updates on topics that I know are of utmost interest to Catamount Country.

Return to Competition

Earlier this week the America East Conference announced updated plans for the winter sports season that include modified conference men's and women's basketball schedules beginning the weekend of December 19.  Both our men's and women's teams will be playing limited non-conference games beginning on or around the NCAA revised start date of November 25.  America East also announced the cancellation of this year's indoor track and field championship, although cross country and outdoor track and field do still have championships scheduled for later in the spring, and the shifting of the swimming and diving championship from late February to late April.

While Hockey East has not formally announced its schedule, we're anticipating league-only play for men's and women's hockey beginning in late November.  We're also optimistic that our ski program will have an opportunity to compete this winter in a modified eastern (EISA) circuit, and ultimately in the NCAA Championship.

Planning continues for regular and post-season play in our traditional spring sports (M/W Lacrosse and M/W Outdoor Track and Field) as well as those programs that have been deferred to the spring (M/W Soccer, M/W Cross Country, Field Hockey and Swimming/Diving). We look forward to sharing more information on schedules for these programs as soon as they are finalized.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to the UVMStrong Advisory Committee led by Vice President Gary Derr, the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development with whom we have been working closely to ensure a safe and responsible return to competition that will include robust testing, strict game management protocols and careful travel planning.  Of course, there remains much about this pandemic that is out of our control, but without the support of our dedicated colleagues on campus and in Montpelier, we would not be positioned as we are to resume competition in the coming months.   

No Spectators Allowed at this Time

Our top priority continues to be the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, staff and our broader community. As such, in conjunction with the Department of Health, we have made the determination that spectators will not be permitted at home contests for the foreseeable future. I know this is disappointing news for many of you, as it is for all of us in the Athletic Department. I assure you that we will revisit this as soon as it's safe to do so, and in the meantime, will make our games available through live streaming on various conference and university platforms.  In the coming days, we will be in touch with season ticket holders to outline options for managing any payments that have already been made.  

Facility Project Update

As I've shared in previous updates, all construction activity in Vermont was halted for approximately two months at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, the UVM Board of Trustees instructed the project team to explore sequencing options that would help the university manage the project while working through the fiscal impacts of the pandemic.  At their most recent meeting, the Board and President Garimella reinforced their commitment to seeing the project through to completion as soon as it's financially responsible to do so and have retained a top athletic facility consultant to help lay out an adjusted sequencing plan and timeline. Since the lifting of the Governor's order, work has continued on the site and we're excited to see progress being made on expanded student recreation and wellness, the foundation of the Tarrant Center, and upgrades at The Gut.

All of us in Catamount Country remain deeply grateful to our donors who have stepped up to support the vision of dramatically enhanced recreation, wellness and varsity athletic facilities on our campus. Your generosity, commitment and loyalty will ensure that this project is completed, and that it will serve to inspire and benefit countless generations of future Catamounts. I look forward to sharing more information as plans are finalized.

Thank You Catamount Country

Finally, to all of Catamount Country, a huge thank you for the many ways in which you support our student-athletes, coaches and teams.  We need you now more than ever!  On behalf of all of us, thank you for making this such a special place and we look forward to seeing you in person as soon as it's safe to do so.

Go Cats Go!

Jeff Schulman '89
Director of Athletics