The Fordham men’s and women’s basketball teams were forced to postpone Athletic 10 (A10) conference games on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, respectively, due to COVID-19 health protocols. While the men’s team has been under protocol since Jan. 1, the women’s team was forced to postpone its game due to cases within the University of Rhode Island program. The women’s team instead competed against La Salle University on Jan. 9 in a rescheduled game.

On Jan. 5, both Fordham basketball teams were forced to postpone games in a similar manner. The men’s team was unable to compete against St. Bonaventure University due to Fordham’s own protocols, while the women’s team postponed due to protocols in effect for La Salle. 

These postponements are not the first for two teams who have been regularly afflicted by COVID-19 protocols this season. The women’s team has had to postpone or cancel five games since Dec. 29, and even in a rescheduled game against Fairleigh Dickinson University on Jan. 2, the Rams had to compete without star Kendell Heremaia and other players due to positive COVID-19 tests.

“It’s very disappointing, but we’re also very understanding. It’s just the beginning of our conference play, so we know there will be games well ahead of us in the future.” Kaitlyn Downey, GSBRH ’22

During the 2020-21 season, Fordham basketball teams grew accustomed to playing in empty arenas under uncertain conditions. Fordham women’s basketball captain Kaitlyn Downey, Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill ’22, said the team was coping with the postponements well under the circumstances.

“It’s very disappointing, but we’re also very understanding. It’s just the beginning of our conference play, so we know there will be games well ahead of us in the future,” Downey said. “It’s just about having a mindset that is ready to go at all times and ready to attack whenever we get to play again.”

Meanwhile, the men’s team has only competed in one game since Dec. 13 due to various schedule changes of its own. After that game, which took place at La Salle University on Dec. 30, both teams reported positive cases in subsequent days which have led to more games being rescheduled.

Fordham’s postponements in recent weeks have been part of a wave of schedule adjustments within the A10. On Jan. 4, A10 officials announced that 17 men’s and women’s basketball games were rescheduled after a change in the conference’s forfeiture policy. Teams unable to play because of COVID-19 originally had to forfeit such games, but the most recent wave of the virus has rendered such a policy unfeasible.

Following the men’s team’s game against A10 rival La Salle, Fordham Athletics released a no-spectator policy announcement. Fordham’s policy, which will bar fans from attending for the foreseeable future, applies to all games at the Rose Hill Gymnasium. Home attendance will be limited to student athletes, coaching staff and referees, along with other essential personnel. Several other A10 programs, like St. Joseph’s University and La Salle University, instituted vaccination checks and mask mandates.

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ed Kull provided a statement alongside the university’s announcement on Jan. 4.

“With the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans, and alumni as our top priority, guests will not be allowed to attend home events on the Rose Hill campus until further notice,” Kull said. “We will continue to evaluate the situation and look forward to welcoming back our Fordham Fans as the circumstances improve.”

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