For now, the games cannot go on. The State University of New York Athletic Conference on Monday announced the winter season of sports will not be taking place.

“This was not an easy decision and I empathize with all of our student-athletes across the SUNYAC,” said Erik Bitterbaum, chair of the SUNYAC presidents. “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.”

A majority of the SUNYAC sports are Division 3. Many of the athletes are traveling around the state to participate in contests, which would seem safe enough.

While New York has one of the lower infection rates, spikes are occurring at a number of higher education institutions, even those schools not part of the SUNY conference. Though this is disappointing, the postponement of games — even in the pros — has become an unfortunate reality.

For now, it seems a better option to not get anyone’s hopes up for games while waiting until the spring.