Dear Tiger Nation–

As I'm sure you have learned, Towson University announced on Friday that it will suspend the fall sports season. This decision was not taken lightly. There was much information and guidance provided and I scrutinized everything many times before recommending that it was in our best interest to suspend the traditional seasons of football, women's soccer, volleyball, field hockey and cross country.

Our student-athletes are great ambassadors of the university, represent some of the best scholars on campus and develop tremendous leadership skills, teamwork and dedication through competition. Most importantly, our student-athletes have a strong desire to compete. However, it became evidently clear that TU was not going to be able to compete against other universities – particularly given the number of other universities in this region that had already elected to suspend fall sports or limit their schedules – in a manner that would be safe for returning to our campus and community given the complexities of travel and contact associated with playing a competitive Division I schedule.

However, many of the aforementioned great qualities that intercollegiate athletics brings to the higher education model can still be achieved and we intend to provide that experience for our student-athletes through workouts, team activities, practices, study hall, etc. as best we can. We have a robust Return to Play plan that we will follow for all team or individual activities throughout the year in accordance to federal, local, university and department guidelines.

If it is feasible to have a competitive season for our fall sports at another time (i.e. spring), TU will provide serious consideration at that time. In regards to our winter sports and spring sports, no decision has been made at this time in regards to seasons or games. It is my sincere hope that the virus will subside or that there is an effective means of vaccination and/or treatment.

These are difficult decisions to say the least. I am eager to get to a point where we feel it is safe for our teams to travel and compete again. I am also eager for a time when I can see you back on our campus socializing and rallying behind our student-athletes that proudly don the Black & Gold of Towson University.

I truly believe that our strength is in our numbers; you may be out of sight, but you are never out of mind. Please stay healthy and safe, and thank you for your continued support of Towson Athletics.

Sincerely–

Tim Leonard
Director of Athletics
Towson University