Jamestown Community College plans to resume intercollegiate athletic competition in February 2021.

Men’s and women’s basketball, swimming and diving, and wrestling contests will be held, adhering to federal, state and local guidelines regarding COVID-19, according to George Sisson, Jamestown CC’s athletics and recreation director.

“Building on the success we have established with mitigating risk during the fall semester, we feel we can move forward in providing a safe, meaningful and worthwhile opportunity for our student-athletes,” Sisson said in a press release Thursday morning.

Tools for determining a safe return to play included the New York State Supplemental Guidance for Athletics at Higher Education Institutions during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency document; successful participation in multiple sports by area National Collegiate Athletic Association and United States Collegiate Athletic Association schools; and preseason practices and workouts held on JCC’s Jamestown campus during the fall semester.

Sisson said later Thursday that Jamestown CC joins Erie CC and Niagara County CC as the only junior colleges in the state that will resume intercollegiate play in February.

“We just feel we can create an environment that is safe, but worthwhile,” he said. “Being involved in athletics is a critical part of the experience and the success (for student-athletes).”

But, Sisson added: “We’re never going to make a choice of sports over the safety of our kids.”

Meanwhile, baseball, golf, softball, and women’s soccer are on track to begin competition in March. Earlier in the year, the National Junior College Athletic Association board of regents voted that all 2020-21 NJCAA sport seasons (fall, winter, and spring) would not count toward student-athlete eligibility.