Dear Student-Athletes,
 
I first hope that you and your families are well during this unprecedented and trying time in the world.  I also want to thank you for all for your flexibility, understanding, and resilience during the adverse circumstances you have all been a part of for the last week or so.  It is unimaginable to believe we are living in a world without sports, and I am so sorry to those of you who have had your seasons cut short in such an abrupt way.  I know all of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices you make to be a college student athlete, and I can only imagine the wave of emotions you and your families who support you are feeling.  I want to take this time to answer some of the questions you may have, and let you know of some of the short and long-term plans we have as an athletic department. 
 
As I am sure you know by now the college plans to begin classes in a virtual capacity on-line.  I encourage you to access all the information for this, the process for moving your items out of your campus living spaces, and for all the latest updates on the college's response to the virus by accessing the college Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Page. 
 
I know your coaches have been in touch with you throughout this process checking-in on you, and letting you know how much they care about you.  They will continue to do so.  However, we will have an additional resource available to you should you need someone other than your coach to speak with about what you are going through.  You can reach out to the athletic training staff (athletic staff directory) to set up an appointment.  You can also contact the athletic training staff in regards to any injury/and or rehabilitation you have.  Additionally, you can find information from the athletic training staff to help you through all of this here.  Your coaches will be in touch in the coming weeks about setting up virtual team meetings to conduct team business and activities, but for now we want to make sure everyone is doing as well as they can considering the circumstances.  Do not hesitate to reach out should you need to talk to someone. 
 
Your coaches will also be reaching out to you about specifics on accessing your locker space when you return to campus to pick-up your belongings.  Please note that the Jaeger Center and Bream Wright Houser buildings are closed and locked.   
 
Many of the spring sports are aware that the NCAA released the following statement recently:
 
Student-athlete seasons of participation and eligibility.  Approved a blanket waiver for all student-athletes participating in spring sports as follows: (a) Waive the use of a season of participation for all student-athletes in spring sports.  If an institution continues or re-starts its season, this relief would still exist; and (b) Waive the use of the spring semester towards their limit of 10 semesters/15 quarters, regardless of whether they used a season.              
 
Spring athletes will retain this season of eligibility, and the spring semester will not count in the 10 semester limit for athletic participation.  Please know that all of the details of this blanket waiver have not been fully worked out.  Also, please note the Centennial Conference and Gettysburg College have not made any decisions on this waiver at the time being.  Also, understand that there are financial aid and academic implications that are associated with this.  If you are a senior, and this is something you really want to pursue, please reach out to your coach.  All other classes, please be patient as we work through the details of this waiver.
 
Seniors, your coaches and the athletic department will be in touch in the future on a way that we will recognize and celebrate your time as a Gettysburg student-athlete.  In the meantime, please continue to follow our athletic department social media accounts for updates.
 
Even though we cannot be together during this difficult time, I encourage you to continue to be great teammates and support each other.  It is a tough time to be a Bullet, but the rich history of our college has shown us that we can overcome and preserve through tough and sometime insurmountable odds.  We will get through this together and come out better on the other side.
 
Wishing you and your families all the best,
 
Mike Mattia
Executive Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation