SUNY Brockport has suspended its wrestling program pending the outcome of several investigations due to potential COVID-19 policy violations.
A pair of wrestling education classes have also been cancelled, according to News10NBC.
The news came this past week, when officials on campus learned Friday that one of its student athletes came into contact with a person who tested positive for the virus.
That student was immediately placed in isolation.
Then the college learned that the wrestling program and wrestling PE classes may have violated mask and distancing guidelines handed down by New York State.
President Heidi Macpherson issued the following statement:
“The behavior of our students, faculty and staff has been overwhelmingly positive since we have re-opened, and compliance with COVID-19 policies remains high. Unfortunately, we have learned that the wrestling program may have jeopardized the health and safety of our community, and this must be addressed. We are relieved that no one has become ill as a result of these alleged infractions, but risky behavior cannot go unchallenged. We are sending a loud message to the program and our entire community that such behavior will not be tolerated. I am incredibly grateful to SUNY Chancellor Malatras for his unwavering support as well as his commitment to combatting COVID-19 across our SUNY system.”
That statement was followed by another from Athletic Director Erick Hart:
“I fully support the decision to suspend all wrestling activities pending the outcome of these investigations. The vast majority of our student-athletes have role modeled positive behavior this semester. They have also played an active role in encouraging their classmates to do the same. We will not allow the actions of any one program to define our intercollegiate athletics program or put it at risk.”
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