The Centennial Conference on Tuesday announced that it was suspending the upcoming fall sports season.

“In response to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centennial Conference Presidents Council has been meeting diligently to address the safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and their communities. As institutions finalize their plans for the coming year, federal, state, and local health guidance, as well as institutional policies, will guide their independent decisions regarding reopening,” the statement read. “Given health and other related concerns, the Centennial Conference Presidents Council has decided to suspend any intercollegiate competition for sports scheduled for the fall semester.

“The presidents will reevaluate this decision by the end of September, based on work to be done by the Conference to assess sports-specific activities and the experiences on the schools’ campuses. The presidents have determined football will not be played in the fall. The Conference will also explore the possibility of shifting certain fall sports, including football, to the spring.”

There are 11 member schools in the conference, including Muhlenberg College.

In response to the decision, Muhlenberg posted on its website that it will host a Town Hall meeting for student-athletes and their families on Thursday, July 9, at 6 p.m. to provide information and address concerns.

“In the current climate, I believe the Centennial Conference decision makes sense,” said Director of Athletics Lynn Tubman. “It allows for a cautious and safe return to practice while providing the flexibility to evaluate the possibility for competition should we feel we can do so safely.”

“The decision not to compete in football this fall semester was not an easy one for the conference. However, I am hopeful the Centennial Conference will continue to explore a spring football season, with the potential for competition and a conference championship.”