GORHAM, Maine –  University of Southern Maine Athletics Director Al Bean is pleased to announce that the University administration has given the green light for Huskies' spring sports to return to competition.
 
Southern Maine's baseball, softball, women's lacrosse, men's lacrosse, women's outdoor track & field, men's track & field, women's tennis, men's tennis and golf teams will take to their respective competitive arenas for the first time since March 2020.

"I'm delighted that USM's spring sport student-athletes will be provided the opportunities to train and compete this year in compliance with requirements set forth by civil authorities," USM President Glenn Cummings said. "Our coaching staff and student-athletes worked incredibly hard to demonstrate they could carry out an abbreviated schedule of winter athletics despite the pandemic. Their commitment to adhere to safeguards this winter gives us the confidence to move forward with spring competition. Everyone wants to play, and everyone wants to take the necessary steps to stay healthy. We have shown we can achieve both aims to provide our student-athletes with the camaraderie and competition that are central to their college experience. I cannot wait to see the Huskies in action this spring."
 
The Huskies are scheduled to play as close to a full schedule as possible for each of their spring sports, focusing on Little East Conference opponents.  .
 
"It's certainly very welcome and exciting news for our spring athletes and coaches," said Bean. "These teams and student-athletes have already lost one full season of competition as programs were shut down in mid-March a year ago.  They have practiced, prepared and waited with hope there might be a return to a more normal season.  I'd like to thank President Cummings and the Leadership Team at USM for having faith and providing this opportunity to compete with our Little East Conference members.  We made some strong strides together with our winter sports season and we are committed to moving forward this spring with all necessary precautions in place.  We will continue our regular testing regiment, due diligence and compliance with state, UMaine System, NCAA and conference policies and protocols.   Safety remains the top priority for everyone involved and I'd like to acknowledge and thank our Athletic Healthcare staff, our colleagues in Student Health and all of our athletic department personnel who have stepped forward to assist with testing each week.  This has been a total team effort and I'm very proud of the good work done by our student-athletes and staff.  This opportunity to move forward with participation is very positive for our student-athletes; I'm looking forward to great things from the Huskies this spring.
 
To comply with state, UMaine system, and Little East Conference COVID-19 precautions and health and safety guidelines, USM Athletics' competition remains closed to the public at this time.  Spring sport teams will forgo their typical "spring break" trips to southern destinations and no contest will include overnight travel during the regular season. Additionally, scheduled non-conference games will focus on local competition. All dates and times are subject to change. 
 
The first date of allowable competition is March 17, and Little East Conference play begins March 27.  The first scheduled Husky spring sport event is men's lacrosse at St. Joseph's College (Maine) on March 17; the Huskies' first home event will feature Southern Maine softball versus UMaine Farmington on March 23.  To keep up to date with all 22 of the Huskies' NCAA Division III teams, and get the latest schedule updates check in at southernmainehuskies.com