(Courtesy of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference)

The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) will not permit fans to attend sporting events for the first month of the 2021 spring semester. Conference officials issued a statement about that decision:

CONFERENCE STATEMENT – On Monday, November 30^th, the KJCCC unanimously approved a COVID-19 Protocol which provides requirements, guidelines and recommendations toward spring semester competitions.  The chief item within the protocol that shaped its development is the philosophy statement of athletic play during this unprecedented time.

Protocol Philosophy:

The safety of KJCCC student-athletes, coaches, and staff is paramount and those considerations should guide the conference as our member institutions begin to reopen campus and prepare to host intercollegiate practices and competitions. The emphasis for the 2020-2021 seasons should be on the ability to play games and not on winning championships. This season will be judged less on who wins a championship, but rather on the ability to provide opportunities for our student-athletes to represent our institutions in a safe manner.

• Regarding this philosophy, the KJCCC will not allow fans to attend events from January 4, 2021 until February 5, 2021. This will be revisited in February to determine if we open our events for attendance by our valued fans for the rest of the spring.
• Schools will be operating in accordance with local and state public officials regarding a return to campus, practice, and competition within the local health department guidelines.
• The conference has established a conference COVID-19 Committee to monitor changes that may occur. We will remain fluid to allow the safest environment for our student athletes that we serve.
• We have developed guidelines that address:
  • Return to Campus and General Sport Guidelines
  • KJCCC Competition Guidelines
  • Sports Information Guidelines

We all hope that this will provide the guidance needed to provide a safe environment and provide an opportunity for student athletes to participate and represent our schools of the KJCCC.

Please follow the KJCCC web site for any updates. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

“While we want our student athletes to excel and compete, that is second in the coming semester to providing safety,” said conference president Dr. Brian Inbody, Neosho County Community College president. “This emphasis on safety extends to cover our college employees and staff members.”

KJCCC Commissioner Carl Heinrich concurred with Inbody.

“Our safety goals are why we made the statement of philosophy in our guidance,” said Heinrich.  “Colleges will apply this guidance to all sports and competitions.”

The conference will begin the spring athletic season in late January. Sports competing in Spring 2021 include Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Wrestling, Baseball, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, and Men’s and Women’s Track & Field. Cross Country and Half Marathon held their season and championships in the fall.