As the spring sports semester begins Northern Essex Community College intends to return to competition.

The first sports to get this underway will be the men’s basketball team and the women’s volleyball team along with the esports team.

After COVID had canceled sports during the fall semester the plan to follow the strict Massachusetts guidelines and have the athletes resume their time playing.

“The college will follow all Massachusetts COVID guidelines, which means spectators will not be permitted unless limitations are lifted by the state,” acording to the NECC Knights website.

With everything going on NECC is looking to make the sports return a safe environment and make sure no athlete or person is at risk of getting COVID.

“Competition schedules are also in development for men’s soccer, softball, golf, and track, and field,” according to the website.

The Knight’s baseball team started on March 7.  NECC could use the early sports of basketball and volleyball to use as a guide going forward with the later starting sports. How everything is going on NECC is looking to slowly incorporate more of the sports over time but since this is the first time for everyone, they are taking it slowly making sure athletes and coaches are not at risk of catching the virus. “

We have developed schedules for basketball, baseball, and volleyball. We are working on the other sports as well.” said Athletic director Dan Blair.

While the setting has changed for what is going with the sports world, NECC is stil recruiting athletes.

“Recruitment hasn’t changed, our coaches are still doing what they traditionally do, just in a different setting,” said Blair.

The new season is upon us as NECC looks to reopen the competition side of sports and get the athletes back out there.

If there are any questions about sports, in what will happen, or in need of anything alongside that you can contact the Director of Athletics, Dan Blair at (dblair@necc.mass.edu).