University is taking steps to return to the courts for 2021-22, establishing regular season schedules
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania today announced its plans for returning to the courts for the 2021-22 season as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are being lifted for Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
“We have been actively monitoring the state’s guidelines and CDC restrictions throughout the pandemic and doing everything we can to keep our students, staff and campus community safe and healthy,” said President Aaron A. Walton. “We are excited to get our athletic programs back in action again, and most importantly we are encouraged by the state’s recent announcement to lift the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions on May 31.”
President Walton continued, “We are taking all necessary steps right now to get our teams back on the courts next season.”
The university is communicating with several potential universities and colleges to establish full schedules for the upcoming season. Cheyney competes as an independent school and is not part a specific league or conference. The university participates in men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball.
“We are actively contacting schools and working with their athletic programs to establish regular season schedules for our student athletes,” Walton said. “We remain committed to our athletic programs and believe they are an important part of every student athlete’s educational experience. We look forward to confirming schedules and seeing our teams practicing again.”
Cheyney did not participate in the 2020-21 regular season when the pandemic hit because the games would have necessitated travel. The university has been factoring all health and safety conditions into its decision to return for the upcoming season.
Along with a return to athletics, the university will be realigning its coaching staff and will announce the detailed plans at a later date.
These actions are part of the university’s long-term plans, including expanding its current sports engagements beyond the three existing teams. A major component of the plan is construction of a state-of-the-art sports complex on campus.
“Cheyney has made tremendous strides in just the last few years,” said President Walton. “We are building on that momentum through ongoing efforts to grow our academic programs, on-campus internship opportunities and expanding partnerships that are providing more internships for our students. We know our sports programs play an important role in our student athletes’ academic success and bring pride to our alumni. We are committed to the course we have charted.”
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About Cheyney – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.