Update from the Associate Vice President of Student Life and Athletics Mark Hanna, July 29, 2020

Dear Trinity Fall Student-Athletes,

In light of the COVID pandemic, the NAIA has publicly announced a decision to postpone national championships for fall sports to spring 2021. The CCAC has also just publicly announced decisions with regard to fall sport competition. The conference will quickly begin working to modify conference schedules to align with new national championship dates. New championship dates have not been identified.

In light of these announcements, Trinity Christian College has decided to postpone all fall sport competition. These decisions affect Trinity Christian College student-athletes that compete in men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s cross country. This is challenging and disappointing news, altering expectations and anticipation for fall pre-season and competition. And yet, in light of the COVID pandemic, postponement of conference play and national championships provide fall student-athletes with the best possibility for a season of competition and opportunity for national championship play in the 2020-21 academic year.

So, now what?

• Be certain that you remain a Trinity student-athlete. Trinity Christian College will honor your athletic scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year even though season dates and schedules are changing.
• To the extent that health and safety guidelines allow, your coaches will make plans for relevant sport activity after the fall semester begins. These will be established within the existing NAIA standards and once new national championship dates have been identified.
• Fall athletes are no longer scheduled to return to campus on August 12 and 13. You should modify your travel plans to return to campus with all other Trinity students between August 21 and 25. Check the Covenant of Care and FAQs for more detailed information. You can also schedule your residence hall arrival and check in by using this residence life form.
• Your coaches have already scheduled virtual team meetings with you for this evening. The purpose of those meetings is to have space and time to be together, to clarify existing information, and to provide an update as to anything new or additional. I strongly encourage you to participate in those meetings; if you’re unable, reach out to your coach individually.

There are surely many questions that still need to be answered. We will continue to work with the NAIA and the CCAC to get these answers to all of these questions. I continue to hear from your coaches of your positive attitudes and your understanding in response to these announcements. I am so grateful for each of you and for your coaches choosing a right response to disappointing news. I am eager to see you again as we now anticipate and prepare for spring competition.

Mark Hanna
Associate Vice President of Student Life and Athletics