BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League Council of Presidents endorsed a plan for a League-only men's and women's basketball schedule for the 2020-21 season, beginning on Saturday, January 2, it was announced Monday. League play will be contingent on the League and its member institutions being able to conduct competition in ways that protect the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, staffs and their communities.

Consistent with the prioritization of health and safety, the 2020-21 schedule format features a significant reduction in travel and overnight stays.

Instead of the League's traditional double round-robin format, teams will play an increased number of games against League opponents in closer geographic proximity.

"We are excited to release our basketball schedules that will give our Loyola coaches and student-athletes something specific to focus on as we prepare for our safe return to competition and the battle for this year's Patriot League Championship," said Donna M. Woodruff, Loyola's assistant vice president and director of athletics. "We appreciate that much uncertainty still remains; however, we are very thankful for the work of our sports medicine staffs, coaches and administrators who worked diligently to create environments which the Council of Presidents were able to support at this time."

The 10 Patriot League institutions will be divided into three regional mini-conferences (North, Central, South) with teams playing four games against each regional opponent. Loyola has been placed in the South mini-conference, where it is grouped with American and Navy.

The Greyhounds are scheduled to open their season against American on January 2, with the men hosting and the women on the road. Decisions regarding start times and fan attendance will be announced at a later date; a limited number of game dates are subject to change due to television.

Additional League games will be played outside of the mini-conferences to complete the 16-game regular-season schedule. The full tentative schedules for men's and women's basketball are available here (PDF).

To reduce travel and overnight stays, schools will play against the same opponent on consecutive days, primarily Saturdays and Sundays, with a limited number of exceptions.

"We have accomplished the first step in the planning process for the 2021 Patriot League men's and women's basketball season," said Lafayette College President Alison Byerly, Chair of the Council of Presidents. "The Council of Presidents places the highest value and priority on League competition and we believe this model offers the best opportunities for us to conduct a safe and successful League season."

The Patriot League Men's and Women's Basketball Championships will include eight teams; seeding formulas for the event are to be determined. The men's quarterfinal round is scheduled for Saturday, March 6, while the women begin quarterfinal-round play on Sunday, March 7. The men's semifinal round will be played on Wednesday, March 10, followed by the women's semifinals on Thursday, March 11. The Patriot League men's and women's basketball championship games are both scheduled to be played on Sunday, March 14.

Indoor Track & Field and Swimming & Diving
The Council approved the rescheduling of the 2021 Patriot League Swimming and Diving Championship to April 21-24 at Bucknell University. The League will continue to explore possible formats for the 2021 indoor track and field championship, which is currently scheduled to be held Feb. 27-28 at Boston University. A decision will be made in the coming weeks.

Fall Sports Update
In late September the NCAA announced championship dates and playing-season parameters for the conduct of fall sports during the second semester. In the Patriot League, this includes the sports of field hockey, football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball, as well as a championship event in the sports of men's and women's cross country. Recognizing the many challenges and uncertainties that still must be considered in order for such competition to occur, the Council of Presidents supported continued planning for competitive schedules under the following parameters: 

 

• Student-athletes will return to campus for the second semester at the same time as the student body, in accordance with institutional protocols and timelines; 
• A reduced competitive schedule designed to meet the requirements to qualify for NCAA championships; 
• No overnight stays or air travel; and,
• Reduced Patriot League championship brackets, based upon the sport. 

 
Consistent with all planning around the possible return to play, the conduct of competition in all 24 League sports, including League championships, will be contingent on the League and its member institutions being able to conduct competition in ways that protect the health and safety of student-athletes and their communities.