With recent COVID-19 trends continuing to raise concern, causing several College Squash Association (CSA) member institutions to significantly limit or cancel their season plans, the CSA Board of Directors voted on Thursday to cancel the 2021 CSA national championship events. This cancellation includes the Women’s Team Championships, the Men’s Team Championships, and the Individual Championships for the current season.
The Board’s vote followed a thorough review of the logistics and resources required to stage these events safely, as well as a comprehensive assessment of CSA teams’ operations, including their respective clearances to train, travel, host competitions, and gather in large groups. Like its member institutions and conferences, CSA has exercised caution to protect the health and wellbeing of its student-athletes, coaches, and other constituents.
“It is heartbreaking to deny student-athletes the championship playing experiences they would normally have had,” said David Poolman, Executive Director and League Commissioner of the CSA. “The current unprecedented circumstances caused by COVID-19 create too many obstacles which prevent our safe and desired execution of the championships this season.”
Maximizing the student-athlete experience remains a top priority for CSA. Even without the championship events, CSA still intends to support all institutions which allow their teams to train and compete in dual matches in a medically-approved manner. In consultation with US Squash and NCAA return-to-competition guidelines, CSA will publish minimum testing strategies and match protocols soon, which teams should use to create safe playing opportunities.
CSA is also committed to honoring graduating seniors and recognizing the typical end-of-season academic and athletic award winners. While the cancellation is certainly disappointing, CSA is eager to engage the college squash community in new and creative ways throughout this season.
Currently, the scheduled dates for the 2022 Championships are as follows, with locations still to be determined:
Men’s Team Championships – February 18-20, 2022
Women’s Team Championships – February 25-27, 2022
Individual Championships – March 4-6, 2022
