UMass Dartmouth will likely hold intercollegiate competitions in most spring — and some fall — sports next semester, administrators announced on Dec. 3.

According to a press release, the university is working with fellow member institutions within the Little East Conference and the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference to establish practice, conditioning, training and competitive opportunities in adherence to all local, state, and federal safety guidelines. 

“Throughout the pandemic, the physical and mental well-being of our students has been the top priority for everyone at the University,” UMass Dartmouth Acting Chancellor Mark Preble said. “As we chart a course for return to normal on-campus activities, we will continue to work tirelessly to provide opportunities that focus on a positive and safe student experience.” 

UMass Dartmouth currently intends to compete in the Little East Conference men’s and women’s basketball as the conference works to finalize the schedule, the press release stated. Other leagues’ decisions on winter sports preclude the university from competing in conferences for men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s indoor track and field this year. An option for non-league events in those particular programs is being explored. 

Administrators stated in the release that while following all safety guidelines, UMass Dartmouth intends to compete in baseball, softball, women’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field this spring. 

The university had previously suspended all fall sports competitions for the fall 2020 season due to the pandemic.

According to the release, the university’s athletics department has been looking into holding fall sports this spring and intends to compete in football, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey and volleyball in a condensed schedule during the spring 2021 semester.

With a large amount of crossover between student-athletes, there will be no sponsorship of men’s and women’s cross country in the spring. 

“This is an extremely fluid situation that changes rapidly by the day, and our staff continues to work diligently to provide the chance for our student-athletes to compete in the months ahead,” Corsair Director of Athletics and Recreation Amanda Van Voorhis said.  “Our intent is for all of these events that we have all missed so much over the last nine months to return, and we will continue to engage in discussion and planning while adhering to all established safety guidelines and protocols.” 

For updates and more information, visit corsairathletics.com or follow @UMassDAthletics on social media.