New York Institute of Technology announced Thursday that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the costs associated with the programs, the school is suspending all of its NCAA athletics programs for at least two years.
The school, located in Old Westbury, sponsors 12 teams at the Division II level, and the Bears are members of the East Coast Conference alongside other area schools such as Mercy College, Molloy College, Queens College, and the College of Staten Island.
"We have a rich legacy in competitive sports and are proud of everything our student-athletes have accomplished over the years. We thank everyone involved in our athletics program for their spirit, dedication, and professionalism," said Dr. Henry Foley, President of New York Tech, in the school’s statement. "For the next two years, unfortunately, we will no longer be competing with our peers in the East Coast Conference (ECC) and NCAA Division II."
Per the school, all athletic scholarships – roughly 250, according to the release – will be honored for all current student-athletes who wish to remain at NYIT, and the school will re-evaluate its decision “at a future date,” choosing to focus current efforts on addition club and intramural sports, as well as the CyBears E-Sports Club.
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