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Almost a year to the day after the original announcement to cancel eight postseason tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mid-American Conference reversed course on Friday morning, reinstating all eight sports’ postseasons.
The change comes three years earlier than anticipated, as the changes were previously meant to take place over the course of four academic years. It was a move that was likely considered from both a health and financial standpoint at the time, but with conferences slowly adjusting to the situation, the MAC has brought them back into the fold.
“At my direction, I asked our championship staff to create models of how we could return our postseason events,” said commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher via press release. “Conference tournaments are pinnacle events that provide lifetime memories for those involved. I am pleased we are able to reinstate these events for the student-athletes.”
Along with the announced changes below, the volleyball championship was also expanded, increasing from four to six teams starting next spring.
Men’s Soccer
- Tournament Field – Four (4) Teams
- Tournament Host – High Seed
Women’s Soccer
- Tournament Field – Six (6) Teams
- Tournament Host – High Seed
Field Hockey
- Tournament Field – Four (4) Teams
- Tournament Host – Previous year regular season champion (#1 Seed).
Volleyball
- Tournament Field – Six (6) Teams
- Tournament Host – High Seed
Men’s Tennis
- Tournament Field – Four (4) Teams
- Tournament Host – Previous year regular season champion (#1 Seed).
Lacrosse
- Tournament Field – Four (4) Teams
- Tournament Host – High Seed
Women’s Tennis
- Tournament Field – Four (4) Teams. Divisional champions plus the next two best winning percentages regardless of division.
- Tournament Host – Previous year regular season champion (#1 Seed)
Softball
- Tournament Field – Four (4) Teams
- Tournament Host – High Seed
Baseball
- Tournament Field – Four (4) Teams
- Tournament Host – High Seed