Midwest Conference, Ripon College gets ready to play sports again this spring

The Midwest Conference, which Ripon College is a member of, announced today (Friday) that it will resume competition for the spring sports of baseball, softball, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, men’s outdoor track & field and women’s outdoor track & field.

Member institutions, based upon campus and local realities of the pandemic, retain ultimate authority over the decision as to whether or not to participate in intercollegiate athletics this spring.

“It’s been nearly 11 months since our student-athletes have played against each other due to COVID-19,” said Ripon College President Zach Messitte, the Midwest Conference Executive Committee Chair. “While we are excited to resume league play later this spring, the conference will continue to adhere to best practices in order to maximize the safety and health of our students, coaches, officials and spectators.”

Midwest Conference schools are allowed to engage in spring competition against non-league opponents as long as they adhere to the league’s COVID-19 return-to-play protocol and end competition against non-Midwest Conference institutions 15 days prior to the start of league play in each respective sport. Midwest Conference competition in most spring sports is expected to start between late March and mid-April and will conclude by mid-May. Conference schedules will be posted online in the coming weeks, but are subject to change due to the current health circumstances.

The Midwest Conference will closely monitor the COVID-19 environment on Midwest Conference campuses, local communities and at the regional and national levels as the 10 member schools prepare for the upcoming spring season.