POTSDAM -- The SUNY Athletic Conference, which includes SUNY Potsdam, is canceling their winter sports season.

A news release from SUNYAC says the decision is "in an abundance of caution to protect the health and safety of students and staff."

"This was not an easy decision and I empathize with all of our student-athletes across the SUNYAC," Erik Bitterbaum, the chair of the SUNYAC Presidents said in a news release. "However, despite our best efforts to plan for a winter season, our priority must be the health and safety of everyone involved with intercollegiate athletics, and our campuses as a whole."

The winter sports impacted by the decision include the conference schedules and championships for men's and women's basketball, as well as men's ice hockey. The championships for men's and women's swimming and diving and men's and women's indoor track and field also have been canceled.

The SUNYAC will continue internal planning for the possibility of spring sports. That decision will come in the future, SUNYAC officials said.