PSAC teams plan to play on during strike
LOCK HAVEN – With the announcement Wednesday morning that faculty members at 14 of 18 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference member institutions have elected to strike, the league is hopeful that all athletic contests will continue as scheduled throughout the duration of the strike.
All 14 athletic contests scheduled Wednesday – six men’s soccer matches, seven women’s soccer matches and one volleyball match – were contested as scheduled. There are no scheduled events Thursday.
The coaches at the 14 the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education member institutions will not be on strike, however, the certified athletic trainers at these institutions are members of the faculty union. Member institutions have contingency plans in place for medical services coverage. Additionally, most members of the athletic department administration are members of the faculty union at those same institutions.
“Our first priority is the care and service to our student-athletes,” PSAC commissioner Steve Murray said. “I am hopeful that this issue will resolve quickly and normal operations return to our member campuses as soon as possible.”
The PSAC has 18-member institutions, 14 of which are members of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education plus Gannon, Mercyhurst, Seton Hill and Pittsburgh-Johnstown.
California, a member of the PSAC, hosted Pitt-Johnstown in men’s and women’s soccer matches Wednesday. The Vulcans’ football team, which is undefeated (6-0) and ranked No. 8 in NCAA Division II, will host Gannon Saturday (3 p.m.) at Adamson Stadium.