BREAKING: Randolph-Macon Athletics On Pause

The following statement was released by Randolph-Macon College's athletics department Friday afternoon:

Randolph-Macon athletics are on pause due to the College's COVID-19 protocols.

This will result in the cancellation of the following events:

2/5 Men's Basketball vs. Randolph

2/6 Swimming vs. Virginia Wesleyan, Women's Basketball vs. Salisbury

2/7 Men's Basketball at Emory & Henry

2/9 Women's Basketball at Shenandoah, Men's Basketball at Christopher Newport

2/12 Men's Soccer vs. Virginia Wesleyan

2/13 Men's Basketball vs. Guilford, Swimming at Washington and Lee

ALERT: Hanover County Fall Sports To Only Play Rivals

Hanover County Public Schools has announced they will continue to only schedule varsity sporting events amongst the four county high schools for fall sports, which are set to begin in late February. 

In light of the decision, the 2020 condensed football schedule has been changed yet again. It is listed below, along with other guidelines for fall sports.

FOOTBALL:

Friday February 26:

Mechanicsville at Hanover, 6pm
Patrick Henry at Atlee, 7pm

Friday March 5:

Patrick Henry at Hanover, 6pm
Atlee at Mechanicsville, 7pm

Friday March 12:

Mechanicsville at Patrick Henry, 6pm
Hanover at Atlee, 7pm

Friday March 19:

Hanover at Mechanicsville, 6pm
Atlee at Patrick Henry, 7pm

Friday March 26:

Hanover at Patrick Henry, 6pm
Mechanicsville at Atlee, 7pm

Friday April 2:

Patrick Henry at Mechanicsville, 6pm
Atlee at Hanover, 7pm

NOTES:

--Teams which qualify for postseason play will be allowed to compete in their region tournaments.
--Middle school fall sports are canceled.
--Eighth graders will be allowed to try out for high school teams.
--Spectator attendance continues to be suspended.

--Field hockey varsity season play will begin on Monday March 1st.
--Volleyball schedules within the county will be forthcoming.

WEEKEND BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

 NOTE: Click on the game listing to watch video where available. Live Twitter coverage on @hanoversports where noted.

FRIDAY:

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL:

BOYS:

Atlee at Hanover, 7:15pm

Mechanicsville at Patrick Henry, 7:15pm

GIRLS:

Patrick Henry at Mechanicsville, 7:15pm ($)

SATURDAY:

COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

MEN:

Randolph-Macon at Ferrum, 2pm

WOMEN:

Ferrum at Randolph-Macon, 2pm

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL:

GIRLS:

Hanover at Atlee, 1pm

ODAC Releases Indoor Spectator Policy

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) announced that spectators will not be permitted for indoor contests this winter and spring.

Here is the official statement from the ODAC office:

"The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Presidents Council endorsed a conference policy that will prohibit spectators at any ODAC indoor athletic event for the upcoming spring campaign. Decision-making throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has focused on the health of the individuals within the ODAC's athletic arenas and a safe return to competition. Enacting this policy will allow campus administrations to control athletic environments as we collectively work towards a return to play.

"This decision affects all conference indoor sports including basketball, indoor track & field, swimming, and volleyball. ODAC leadership will continue to monitor the landscape surrounding the pandemic. Should any changes be made to the spectator policy, updates will be conveyed through conference office and member institution communication channels."

High School Winter Sports To Stay In Confines Of County

If winter sports occur in the new year, it will be a "county family affair", as Hanover County Public Schools announced late Wednesday that all activities should resume on Monday, January 4th, but any games or meets involving winter sports teams (basketball, gymnastics, swimming, wrestling, indoor track and field) would be limited to competition against fellow Hanover County high schools.

Middle school winter sports have been canceled.

Conditioning, practices and other activities which were suspended earlier this month will be able to proceed on January 4th, the first day of classes after the conclusion of winter break.

ODAC Releases Football Schedule For Spring

 Friday night games, four-game schedules, with a fifth week scheduled to determine an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Champion. The Randolph-Macon football schedule was released on Wednesday, seeing the Yellow Jackets beginning the abbreviated season at home, ending regular season play with the trip to Farmville originally planned for last month. 

Game start times will be announced at a later date.

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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26: Guilford at Randolph-Macon

FRIDAY MARCH 5: Bridgewater at Randolph-Macon

FRIDAY MARCH 12: BYE

FRIDAY MARCH 19: Randolph-Macon at Shenandoah

SATURDAY MARCH 27: Randolph-Macon at Hampden-Sydney

On Friday April 2nd, the conference will host four "end of season" games, pitting the #7 and #8 seeds, the #5 and #6 seeds, the #3 and #4 seeds, and the top two seeds squaring off in an ODAC Championship Game. Sites and times are to be determined.

NEWS: County Sees "Community Spread" As "Very Concerning"

 In a release Tuesday from Hanover County Public Schools, division superintendent Dr. Michael Gill discusses the sweeping increase in COVID-19 cases and spread in the area, mirrored across the country, and addresses the possibility of in-person learning being affected. 

Dr. Gill's full message is below.

In addition, all county sports/activities are still on "pause" pending a December 18th decision on the future of a winter sports season.

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"I am writing today with an important message regarding COVID-19 and our ability to keep our schools open and maintain our face-to-face learning option.

As I shared with you recently, we are seeing a noticeable increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases reported in our county and in our schools, particularly at some of our middle and high schools.  The data continues to indicate that many of these cases are a result of community spread, and the uptick in positive cases remains very concerning.  Additionally, the number of individuals required to quarantine after being identified as a close contact of a COVID-positive person is increasing.  This impacts our educators as they continue to offer instruction both face-to-face and virtually simultaneously. 

The increase in COVID-19 cases in the school division is starting to interfere with our capacity to continue providing in-person instruction due to staffing concerns.  More specifically, employees who are unable to work remotely, such as bus drivers, custodial staff, and food services workers, are critical to fulfilling our daily mission.  Their absence, due to illness or quarantining, causes significant strain on our ability to sustain in-person operations. 

To be frank, we need your help to keep our schools open, especially as we enter flu season and the holidays.  On our current path, the option of face-to-face learning — one we are immensely proud to offer — is at increased risk of being suspended.  

Keeping our school buildings open depends on our collective effort.  Let’s all do our part to stop the spread so that we may continue to offer our face-to-face instruction option without interruption.  Let’s continue to show that we are Stronger Together. Thank you."