On Jan. 13, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Presidents’ Council voted to approve plans for a return to competitive athletics this winter. The MIAC winter sports of basketball, hockey, and indoor track and field will be permitted to participate in regular-season competition. The Cardinal basketball and hockey teams will compete in seven conference games, while also having the ability to add up to four nonconference contests — with no games beginning earlier than Jan. 29. Track and field, meanwhile, will be able to participate in regular-season meets at the discretion of each institution.
To prioritize focus on student-athlete and staff safety, however, spectators will not be allowed at MIAC contests during the winter season.
“We have a small window for success this winter season,” said MIAC executive director Dan McKane. “Our COVID Working Group, made up of conference members and medical advisors, supported no spectators for indoor winter sports due to health and safety concerns. This decision, supported by conference athletic directors and presidents, provides our best path forward to successfully and safely conduct winter sports.
“The decision was not made lightly,” McKane added. “It is critical that we see success in the first few weeks of competition.”
To accommodate all Cardinal fans, Saint Mary’s will live video stream all basketball and hockey contests. View the schedule for all live stream games.