Dear Railsplitter Family,

This past month has been one of the most challenging periods in history for people around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic appears as though it will have an impact on our lives for some time to come. It is my hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe during this time and following the orders so that together, we can overcome these obstacles.
 
As you all are aware, the athletic world has come to a standstill in response to the impact of COVID-19. When the NCAA canceled all remaining winter and spring championships, our men's basketball team was in the midst of a 32-game winning streak and preparing to host the 2020 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Championship. Additionally, men's volleyball had won nine-straight matches and softball was boasting a 16-5 mark, all while our baseball, beach volleyball, bowling, golf, lacrosse, tennis, and track and field teams were underway and prepared to compete. The decision to cancel was disappointing but was also the prudent and right thing to do.

Although Lincoln Memorial University has transitioned to online classes, we are allowing students as who are unable to return home at this time to remain in residential housing. They will continue to have access to dining, tutoring and mental health resources as well. All athletic activities such as meetings, weightlifting, practices, and competitions have ceased. 

We are grateful the NCAA has reinstated a year of eligibility for all spring-sport student-athletes. This will allow our seniors the opportunity to return in the 2020-21 school year to complete their eligibility. While this is great news, it is also a very complicated matter to sort through and it is critical that we provide our student-athletes with proper guidance and mentorship.
 
Our coaches are eager to get back to the important work of emerging these incredible student-athletes into the leaders of tomorrow, the next generation armed to face similar challenges of today. I am hopeful that they will never have to encounter anything comparable to this in the future, but we are willing to prepare them so they can.

Your commitment and loyalty to LMU Athletics has always been appreciated, but never more so than now. It is because of you we have been able to develop a program that is well equipped to navigate through adversity such as these times. Moving forward, the continued support of our L-Club members will be critical as we look to rebound from the effects of COVID-19.
 
Lincoln Memorial University Athletics will return. We will return restored, tougher and better than ever. I look forward to those days, and I look forward to standing next to you, watching our student-athletes amaze us and achieve even more academically and athletically.

Stay healthy and stay safe!

- Director of Athletics Jasher Cox