John Wildhack's Letter to Student-Athletes & Parents

March 17, 2020

Dear Syracuse University Student-Athletes and Parents,

We are all experiencing unprecedented challenges as we continue to deal with the impact the COVID-19 (coronavirus) has had on you, your peers, and your families. Continuing with the direction of our local and state governments, today, ACC Commissioner John Swofford, University Presidents, Chancellors, and Athletic Directors announced the decision to cancel all ACC competition for the remainder of the school year. Similar to the NCAA, the ACC felt it was prudent to shut down all of the spring sport ACC competition. The NCAA has stated the Council Coordination Committee agreed that it will be appropriate to grant relief for the use of a season of competition for student-athletes who have participated in spring sports. The committee recognizes that several issues need to be addressed related to providing an additional season of competition, including financial aid implications.

The circumstances we are all facing are changing hourly. We continuously receive input from University leaders, the ACC, as well as national, state, and local health officials.

Academic Update
Yesterday, Chancellor Syverud made the decision not to resume residential instruction for the remainder of the spring semester. Our academic counselors will be reaching out to our student-athletes and will work to provide academic support via online modalities. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your academic advisor.

Campus Update
In light of these updates, all those students who can depart University housing for their permanent residence should do so as soon as practically possible. Free bus tickets will be available to students for major cities such as New York; Philadelphia; Boston; Rockaway, New Jersey; and Washington, D.C. They begin departing at noon today, March 17^th. Students must go to http://boxoffice.syr.edu/ to reserve a ticket. To ensure a safe and orderly process for students to retrieve personal belongings, and to remain in compliance with public health and social distancing best practices, the University is developing a staggered move-out schedule for North Campus residence halls and Skytop/South Campus residences. This schedule will be available for parents and students by 5:00 pm today, March 17^th. Families may select a pick-up time through the MySlice housing portal and may NOT visit campus outside of their scheduled time. Families who are unable to retrieve belongings may complete the item storage form to request that they be packed and stored for future retrieval.

Fitness Facility Update
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has shut down the use of all health clubs and athletic facilities which means we are unable to use our athletic facilities for any type of athletic activity.

As a reminder, please protect yourself from the virus by maintaining personal hygiene and social distancing. We posted best practices on personal hygiene on Teamworks. Please visit the University website for up-to-date information (www.syracuse.edu/coronavirus).

If you have questions, please talk with your coaches or your sport administrator.
Football, Men's Basketball: John Wildhack
Volleyball, Softball, Men's Rowing: Herman Frazier
Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Women's Rowing, Men's Lacrosse, Spirit: Jamie Mullin
Women's Basketball, Women's Lacrosse, Men's Soccer, XC/Track & Field: Kim Keenan-Kirkpatrick
Women's Soccer, Tennis: Mark Wheeler

On behalf of the Syracuse University Athletics staff and my family, we send best wishes for good health to all of you and your loved ones.

Sincerely,

John WIldhack
Director of Athletics

Syracuse University Athletics

John Wildhack's Letter to Student-Athletes & Parents

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