Cleary undeclares men's lacrosse, women's soccer for spring 2021
Cougars announce job search for men's lacrosse head coach
January 15, 2021
Howell, Mich.— The uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 and its effects on athletic competition has resulted in two programs at Cleary University determining to undeclare potential seasons this spring. The Cougar Athletic Department has announced that neither the men’s lacrosse team nor the women’s soccer team will compete this spring and will rather focus on each team’s respective 2021-22 seasons.
“We had several student-athletes that decided that with the uncertainty and health concerns regarding a potential season, to return or remain home this semester,” said Director of Athletics Heather Bateman. “We respect each person’s decision regarding their health and the results were that two of our programs suffered unforeseen losses in personnel which made fielding a team a safety concern. We felt it was in the program’s best interest not to place undue health risks on our student-athletes at this time.”
Governor Whitmer Decision
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that contact sports – which both soccer and lacrosse are classified as – will need to have their student-athletes tested three times per week as well as adhering to a mask protocol to be able to compete this season.
“While we unfortunately do not have the numbers to compete this season for men’s lacrosse nor women’s soccer, we will take all measures to ensure that both men’s soccer and women’s lacrosse will play as many games as allowed this spring,” said Bateman.
New Men’s Lacrosse Coach Sought
Dan Buchy informed the Cleary Athletic Department that he has taken a full-time position in another field and therefore resigned his position as head men’s lacrosse coach.
The search for an immediate replacement has begun and all inquiries can be directed to Max Ballinger, Assistant Athletic Director at mballinger@cleary.edu or 517-586-3003. Please visit www.cleary.edu/jobs to apply.
Cleary University is a non-profit four-year business institution located in Howell, Michigan. For more information, please visit www.cleary.edu.
For more information, press only:
Karl Kling
517-258-9478
For more information on Cleary Athletics: