To our valued alumni, staff, parents, community members, partners, & friends of McMaster University Athletics & Recreation -
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As all of you know, the spread of the COVID-19 virus has resulted in unprecedented changes to nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives, and the impact felt by the McMaster University community is no different.
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I want to start off by thanking each and every one of YOU for your continued understanding and cooperation during this trying time for our community, Canada, and the world. The university has had to make exceptionally difficult but necessary decisions over the last several days, and as we continue to do so, there will be more questions than answers.
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This virus has brought a disappointing end to an otherwise remarkable 2019-2020 Marauder Athletics season. To help combat its spread, U SPORTS cancelled a number of national championship events where many of our student-athletes were working so hard to get to. Like you, I feel so badly for our dedicated student-athletes who have been denied the chance to compete on the national stage, and in the case of our seniors, what should have been an appropriate and fitting end to their McMaster careers. I am so thankful for our coaches who have had to deliver some difficult news and have very emotional conversations over the last five days.
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We have spent nearly all of our time in the last few days working through the immediate operational needs of these decisions while a rapidly expanding list of additional questions and items need to be addressed. While the immediate future is uncharted, McMaster University Athletics & Recreation will do everything we can to support all of those affected. When the time is right - and only when it is safe to do so - regular access to programs and facilities will be restored. When it comes to our people there is NO greater priority and we will stop at nothing to ensure everyone's health & safety.
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Of the many characteristics I have come to appreciate in my first year at McMaster, what sticks out to me most is the sense of community, care and compassion in Marauder Nation - and that has never been more apparent than in this past week. Our student-athletes, coaches, administration, facility/custodial staff, professors and world-renowned researchers and medical personnel have all been playing their part in managing this ongoing pandemic. To those who have worked so hard together these last few days to communicate, problem solve, and communicate again while offering genuine empathy and support to all of our affected student-athletes and their families, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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I have the utmost confidence in our community to work together during this trying time. I am reminded of a great quote from Brian Tracy which states:
            "You have within you right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you."
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I sincerely believe this to be true. Your support, care & compassion for our department and our amazing student-athletes assures me that we will get through this situation TOGETHER! I am so proud of my management team and administrative staff as people come together to ensure the best possible outcomes for all involved. Will we be perfect? Absolutely not...but will we have thought of (and done) everything possible with the best of intentions – ABSOLUTELY! And I truly believe we will emerge from this situation better.
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Finally, and most importantly, I want to personally encourage everyone to continue heeding the guidelines and warnings of Health Canada as we move into a critical stage in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19. McMaster University has set up a website (covid19.mcmaster.ca) to serve as the primary resource for students, faculty and staff regarding information on COVID-19 and its effects on the school.
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Please be mindful of those around you, and I wish you all the best in the days & weeks ahead. Thank you for being such an important member of OUR TEAM!
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Sincerely,
Shawn Burt
Director of Athletics & Recreation
McMaster University
