Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press

Just five days after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made her announcement to cancel football and soccer competition across the state during the fall, the New Mexico Activities Association followed suite by releasing its modified sports calendar on Wednesday, July 15 for the 2020-2021 school year.

Initially, New Mexico Military Institute had planned for Colt football players to arrive on campus July 30-31, but with the new guidelines in place new cadets will arrive Aug. 6 and old cadets matriculate Aug. 13.

“It’s in the best interests of our kids,” said Colt head football coach/associate athletic director Randy Montoya. “With so many unknowns, I think it’s better safe than sorry to move everything back.

“I’m thankful that we do get a season and that they didn’t just cancel us altogether.”

The fall will not be entirely absent of sports as cross country and volleyball are slated to go on during the semester.

Of course, during this ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic, everything is still subject to change and tentative.

Cross country is set to begin Sept. 15 with a maximum of eight meets on the schedule. The state meet is scheduled for Nov. 13-14.

As for volleyball, the schedule contains 18 games and competition begins Oct. 5 with the state tourney happening Dec. 4-12.

Football practice begins Feb. 22 for all levels. A max of eight days of practice are required before games can be played.

A seven-game season is planned for football. For Class 3A, the state tourney is scheduled to be held April 23-May 8.

Basketball season was reduced to 18 games with a planned start date of Jan. 4. Playoffs are slated for March 1-13.

Soccer was also moved to the spring semester with practices beginning Feb. 15. A 14-game schedule is planned as the state tourney is from April 11-17.

Swimming begins Jan. 4 with a max of eight competitions slated for the season. The state meets take place March 13 and March 20.

Baseball season was pushed to a later date and will begin April 5 with a 20-game schedule planned. Playoffs are slated for June 21-26. Softball will follow an identical calendar.

Track and tennis are scheduled to start April 5. Tennis has a 12-match schedule while track can have a max of 10 meets.

State tennis will be June 15-19 while track is slated for June 17-26.

Golf has an April 5 start date with 10 competitions and the state tournament is scheduled for June 21-22.

All sports, with the exception of football, are required to have five practices before competition.

With all the precautions, testing and screening implemented on campus, NMMI has gone ahead of the curve when it comes to ensuring a safe place for its cadets and staff.

“We’re going above and beyond what the state requires — having all kids tested,” Montoya said. “I think we are going to have a safe environment.

“I think we’re prepared for what’s ahead of us. We’re ahead of the game. I think it’s important we get back to some type of normalcy around here.”

>>: NMAA press release: https://www.nmact.org/2020/07/2020-2021-amended-nmaa-sports-calendar-released/

>>: NMAA’s table of athletic events: https://www.nmact.org/file/MODIFIED_MASTER_LIST_OF_EVENTS.pdf