Grinnell College spring sports programs will resume competition starting April 17 at the earliest, announced Interim Dean of the College Elaine Marzluff in an email sent to students on Friday, March 19.

Following the College’s recent shift to COVID-19 activity level Blue, competition will resume for student-athletes participating in baseball, softball, tennis, golf and outdoor track and field.

“The shift to blue, made possible by the continual improving public health conditions, permits us to layer in additional activities,” wrote Marzluff.

Marzluff also cited the “outdoor and relatively distanced nature of spring NCAA sports” as a reason to allow athletic competitions.

Student-athletes participating in competition will be required to adhere to protocols set by the NCAA, the Midwest Conference and the College. Such protocols include participation in regular testing regardless of vaccination status and a phased 21-day acclimatization period. Overnight travel for competitions will not be permitted.

Athletes will be given the option to opt-out of scheduled competitions if they please. Those that choose to not partake in competition will still be eligible to participate in team practices.

“Additional opportunities will be dependent on continued community health conditions that permit us to stay at activity level Blue,” explained Marzluff.

Marzluff also noted that finalized details on the nature of athletic competitions are still being ironed out and will be announced to student-athletes in the coming weeks. A policy regarding spectators for competitions remains under review.

“At this point our expectation is that, if spectators are permitted, they will be limited to our campus community,” wrote Marzluff.