(As of 12:23 p.m., December 8, 2020)

Mountain Lions announce spectator policy for basketball season

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | The Young Harris College Department of Athletics has announced their spectator policy for the upcoming basketball season.

The Mountain Lions will not allow spectators – parents, students, faculty, staff, and fans - for the upcoming men's and women's basketball season inside the YHC Recreation and Fitness Center.  The decision was made after reviewing current NCAA protocols and CDC guidance.

"We are disappointed that we will not be able to allow spectators to our basketball games this season," said Director of Athletics Jennifer Rushton. "This was a difficult decision, but we felt this was in the best interest of the safety of our student-athletes, coaches and game staff."

Spectators will still be able to watch the Mountain Lions as YHC will continue to stream its home games at www.pbcsportsnetwork.com/youngharris/. Young Harris will also offer live stats of each home game at http://yhcathletics.com/sidearmstats/mbball (men) and http://yhcathletics.com/sidearmstats/wbball (women).

No decision on spectators for our spring sports have been made at this time.

Peach Belt to play 16-game basketball schedule starting in January 

AUGUSTA, Ga. | The Peach Belt Conference Board of Directors voted to hold a 16-game basketball season starting in January.

The Board made the decision Thursday (Oct. 29) after a recommendation from the PBC athletics directors. The schedule itself will be released in the coming weeks.

"There were so many factors to consider when discussing basketball this season," said PBC commissioner David Brunk. "Our Board took all of those into consideration before making this decision, which we feel strikes the perfect balance between providing a good experience for our student-athletes and dealing with the health, safety and economic realities surrounding this pandemic."

PBC teams will have the institutional autonomy to schedule up to six additional games to reach the NCAA allowable maximum of 22 if they so desire. Teams may also play up to three exempt contests (exhibitions, scrimmages) any time after the practice start date of Nov. 1. All PBC programs will adhere to the recently released recommendations of the NCAA Sport Science Institute.

The top four teams at the end of the regular season will advance to the PBC Tournament which will be held March 6-7. Tournament details will be announced at a later date.

Peach Belt to begin basketball practice Nov. 1

AUGUSTA, Ga. |  The Peach Belt Conference Board of Directors announced on Thursday that men's and women's basketball regular-season practice will begin on Nov. 1. The Board has postponed any decisions regarding the regular-season schedule until further notice.

"This is an important step forward as we navigate towards the start of the season," said PBC Commissioner David Brunk. "We need to get some more information from the NCAA before making a final decision regarding the regular season. What we do not want to do is put out something only to have the circumstances change a week or two later. We are very aware that our student-athletes are eager to get on the court and get going and we want to do that as well but there are some issues still to be resolved that could effect our start date and how many games we play."

The NCAA is considering many options regarding the Division II basketball season, including the question of a blanket waiver for student-athletes to retain a year of eligibility for the 2020-21 season. Also to be decided are the details regarding the 2021 NCAA Tournament and the number of games required to be eligible to play, specific dates, selection criteria and the format. All of these factors could influence the number of games PBC teams play and the start date to the season.

"It has been a long process, but it has been important to get as much information as we can before making any kind of final decision," said Brunk. "Right now, we expect to have nearly all of what we need by the end of October and should be able to provide concrete details for the upcoming season shortly thereafter."

The Peach Belt has previously announced that men's and women's soccer and volleyball will be moved from the fall semester to the spring. Men's and women's cross country and men's and women's tennis are the only sports currently in action right now; the PBC will hold its men's and women's cross country conference championship on Saturday, Nov. 14. Spectators will not be permitted to attend that event.

Peach Belt to start cross country, golf and tennis this fall, delays soccer and volleyball to spring

AUGUSTA, Ga. | The Peach Belt Conference Board of Directors announced several decisions on Friday which will allow for a limited fall season for cross country, tennis and golf while delaying volleyball and soccer to spring of 2021. The Board's decisions come following the NCAA Board of Governors' additional requirements and the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Division II fall championships as the results of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, all intercollegiate sports can begin countable related athletic activity (CARA), pursuant to applicable NCAA rules. Each PBC institution will have the autonomy to decide if they wish to engage in CARA this fall for sports in their non-championship segment.

Cross Country, golf and tennis competition for those institutions who can meet the Resocialization of Sports guidelines can begin on Oct. 1.

"The Peach Belt Board of Directors are working to balance our desire to provide student-athletes with opportunities to compete in low-contact sports, and our desire to do all in our power to provide a safe environment and to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus," said Dr. Sandra Jordan, Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken and president of the PBC Board of Directors. "Each institutional leader in our conference is well aware of both the risks and opportunities during these unprecedented times, and will continue to respond to the NCAA requirements and national best practices as we make decisions."

Men's and women's cross country will run three regular-season meets followed by the PBC Championship in late November. The date and location of the PBC Championship will be announced at a later date.

"The Board feels confident we can conduct some low-contact sports such as cross country, golf and tennis this fall given the lower risk of exposure of those sports and the desire to engage our student-athletes in competition," said PBC commissioner David Brunk. "We are dedicated to following NCAA, CDC, federal, state and local government guidelines in regards to how we conduct our competitions and will be constantly monitoring the latest developments regarding COVID-19 as we move forward."

All PBC teams who choose to compete this fall will be required to follow the directives set forth by the NCAA Board of Governors, which address the risk of transmission of COVID-19, mitigating risks with face coverings and social distancing, an emphasis on outdoor training and strategies for transition periods and return to activity. Periodic testing of student-athletes will be required, the frequency of which is determined by the risk factors of the sports they play.

A decision regarding the men's and women's basketball playing seasons will be made at a later date.

Peach Belt Conference announces updates to fall semester

AUGUSTA, Ga. | The Peach Belt Conference has announced that all fall competition involving cross country, volleyball and soccer will be delayed until Oct 1. The unanimous decision was made by the PBC Board of Directors, comprised of the presidents and chancellors of the league's institutions.

"We are consistently and conscientiously evaluating recommendations and guidelines from the NCAA, CDC, our state university systems and local governments," said USC Aiken chancellor Dr. Sandra Jordan, chair of the PBC Board of Directors. "The NCAA is recommending weekly testing and point of contact antigen testing and at this moment, those tests are not readily available. Thus, we feel that delaying the start of the season until October when we anticipate more testing options is the best course of action and will allow us to embrace best practices. We will reassess as the need arises but remain dedicated to returning our student-athletes to competition when it is reasonable to do so."

Today's decision does not affect men's and women's basketball. A decision concerning those sports will be made at a later date.

"This was a very difficult decision for the Board to reach," said PBC commissioner David Brunk. "They understand the desire of all student-athletes to get back on the field and play. However, unlike attending university classes, student-athletes are at greater risk because sports are high-contact in nature. Since there are still significant health and wellbeing concerns that exist with the COVID-19 pandemic that must take precedence at this time. The health and safety of our student-athletes is one of our fundamental responsibilities, one which we take very seriously, and those considerations have to come first."

Over the next several weeks, the PBC will announce more information about fall schedules, fall PBC Tournaments, practice start dates and spring sports activity in their non-championship segment.

Young Harris College Announces Highlights of Dining Services Plan

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Today, Young Harris College announced the key points of its Dining Services plan. The plan is informed by and complies with current best practice recommendations, Gov. Kemp's executive orders and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Please click here to view highlights of the Dining Services plan.
 
YHC's president and members of the Pandemic Recovery Task Force continue to review all available information and work with partner organizations, including the Georgia Department of Public Health and Union General Hospital System, to develop additional protocols. The Task Force will continue to release topic-specific plans as protocols are reviewed and finalized. The College community should expect at least one more plan release related to residence halls. Additional plans may also be released as necessary.


Young Harris College Announces Highlights of Move-in Plan

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Today, Young Harris College announced the key points of its move-in plan for new and returning residential students. The plan is informed by and complies with current best practice recommendations, Gov. Kemp's executive orders and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Please click here to view highlights of the move-in plan. All residential students will be given a specific move-in time and a driving route to follow onto campus as we get closer to the dates of move-in.

YHC's president and members of the Pandemic Recovery Task Force continue to review all available information and work with partner organizations, including the Georgia Department of Public Health and Union General Hospital System, to develop additional protocols. The Task Force will continue to release topic-specific plans as protocols are reviewed and finalized. The College community should expect at least two more plan releases related to residence halls and dining facilities. Additional plans may also be released as necessary.

Young Harris College Announces Phased Return-to-Class Plan

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Today, Young Harris College announced a phased plan to return to classes. The plan is informed by and complies with current best practice recommendations, Gov. Kemp's executive orders and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The College notes the plan may be changed as a result of new information, orders and guidance. Please click here to view the full plan.

Phase 1 begins on the first day of classes, Monday, Aug. 17, and will last a minimum of two weeks. Phase 1 restrictions include social distancing, reduced capacity in instructional spaces, increased sanitation with disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizing stations, use of face coverings in the library and instructional spaces, immediate reporting of COVID-19 symptoms and continued use of videoconferencing for office hours.

At the president's discretion, the College will move into Phase 2 of the return-to-class plan, followed by Phase 3. As the phased plan progresses, the restrictions will become more relaxed. YHC will conduct regular evaluations of progress, including collecting and reviewing data on the impact of restrictions, soliciting feedback from students and faculty, and reviewing all new guidance.

As a result of ongoing community transmission, the College may not be able to reach Phase 3 by the end of the fall semester. It may also be necessary to reinstitute certain restrictions or return to an earlier phase if conditions warrant this. Any such changes will be communicated to the entire College community as soon as such decisions are made by the president.

In addition to more details about each phase of returning to class, the plan includes details about the process for instructors to request an exemption from returning to in-person classes and continuing to teach via distance learning instead. Additionally, the plan notes that dual enrollment students and instructors involved with classes offered off campus through Young Harris Early College will be subject to the rules of the partner school system.

YHC's president and members of the Pandemic Recovery Task Force continue to review all available information and work with partner organizations, including the Georgia Department of Public Health and Union General Hospital System, to develop additional protocols. The Task Force will continue to release topic-specific plans as protocols are reviewed and finalized. The College community should expect at least three more plan releases related to move-in, residence halls and dining facilities. Additional plans may also be released as necessary.

Young Harris College Announces On-Time Start, Modifies Academic Calendar

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Young Harris College announced today that classes for the fall 2020 semester will begin on Monday, Aug. 17, as previously scheduled. Modifications to the Academic Calendar have been made, and in-person classes will end on Friday, Nov. 20, prior to the Thanksgiving break. The last scheduled week of fall 2020 classes, Monday, Nov. 30 – Friday, Dec. 4, will take place via distance learning, and exams will be administered online from Monday, Dec. 7 – Friday, Dec. 11.

Members of YHC's Pandemic Recovery Task Force continue to work on the logistics of re-opening campus, including, but not limited to, residential student move-in, flexible course delivery procedures, coordination with local health care providers and public health officials, modifications to food services, expanded cleaning and disinfecting practices, accommodations for high-risk employees and students, use of recreational facilities and revisions to large events.

All plans are informed by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and adhere to requirements established by Governor Kemp's current executive orders. Members of the Task Force will continue working with employees to develop area-specific plans, which will be communicated to all appropriate audiences prior to the start of the 2020-2021 academic year.

Updated Gulf South Conference Announcement
An Update from the President on YHC Operations during COVID-19

UPDATE: Responses to FAQs Regarding COVID-19's Impact on YHC's Operations

Peach Belt Conference Announcement
AUGUSTA, Ga. | The Peach Belt Conference Board of Directors has announced that all competition for the remainder of the 2019-20 season has been canceled. This includes all regular-season competition for the 15 NCAA championship sports the conference sponsors as well as upcoming spring sports tournaments in baseball, softball, tennis, golf and track & field.

"This was a very difficult decision for the board to make," said PBC commissioner David Brunk. "But the safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and fans is our top priority. Given the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic that we are all facing, the board agreed that this was in the best interests of everyone involved."

The decision comes a day after the NCAA announced it was canceling all national championship competition for the remainder of the academic year.

Gulf South Conference Announcement
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | In response to the continued impact of COVID-19, the Gulf South Conference has suspended all athletic competition, countable athletic related activities, and off-campus recruiting for an indefinite period.

This decision was made after thorough collaboration between the conference office, university presidents and chancellors, and the league's athletic directors.