UCAFANS.COM | GO UCA BEARS!

https://news.stanford.edu/2020/07/08/athletics/?utm_source=athletics&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=an

They will still have 25 sports teams. The undertone of this is they are taking advantage of the pandemic to eliminate some non-revenue sports which maybe have been under the microscope anyway.....note the 36 sports include 6 that are not NCAA sports. Even very well funded programs have budgets.

"In consultation with the Board of Trustees, we have made the decision to reduce the breadth of our athletics programs and staffing. Stanford will discontinue 11 of our varsity sports programs at the conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year: men’s and women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed and women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball and wrestling."

"The financial model supporting 36 varsity sports is not sustainable. The average Division I athletics program sponsors 18 varsity sports. "

"Due to the escalating costs of operating such a large athletics department, a structural deficit emerged several years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. That deficit was projected to exceed $12 million in FY21 and to grow steadily in the years ahead. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated recession have only exacerbated the gap; before these sport reductions, our revised forecasts indicated a best-case scenario of a $25 million deficit in FY21, factoring in the effects of COVID-19, and a cumulative shortfall of nearly $70 million over the next three years."

https://ivyleague.com/news/2020/7/8/general-ivy-league-outlines-intercollegiate-athletics-plans-no-competition-in-fall-semester.aspx

Not a surprise given those schools generally are aiming at all or mostly remote instruction.......we tend to dismiss Ivy League in sports in large part because they do not participate in FCS playoffs.......however, Cornell has been ranked in Top 10 in recent years....numerous very good distance runners come from the Ivies.........even basketball will not start until spring semester........Yale and a couple others have had solid women's team.....on the other hand, this is a much easier decision for very wealthy schools without large fan bases......



IVY LEAGUE OUTLINES INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS PLANS; NO COMPETITION IN FALL SEMESTER
7/8/2020 5:45:00 PM

PRINCETON, N.J. -- Amidst continuing health and safety concerns due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Ivy League Council of Presidents has set in place plans for intercollegiate athletics activity in the upcoming fall semester.

With the safety and well-being of students as their highest priority, Ivy League institutions are implementing campus-wide policies including restrictions on student and staff travel, requirements for social distancing, limits on group gatherings, and regulations for visitors to campus. As athletics is expected to operate consistent with campus policies, it will not be possible for Ivy League teams to participate in intercollegiate athletics competition prior to the end of the fall semester.

Practice and other athletic training opportunities for enrolled student-athletes will be permitted provided they are structured in accordance with each institution’s procedures and applicable state regulations. The Ivy League will also issue guidelines on a phased approach to conditioning and practice activities to allow for interaction among student-athletes and coaches that will begin with limited individual and small group workouts and build to small group practice sessions, if public health conditions permit.

Fall sport student-athletes will not use a season of Ivy League or NCAA eligibility in the fall, whether or not they enroll. Students who wish to pursue competition during a fifth-year will need to work with their institutions in accordance with campus policy to determine their options beyond their current anticipated graduation date.

Local campus policies for the student body regarding return to campus and in-person learning will apply to student-athletes.

A decision on the remaining winter and spring sports competition calendar, and on whether fall sport competition would be feasible in the spring, will be determined at a later date.

The Ivy League Council of Presidents offered the following joint statement:
“As a leadership group, we have a responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interest of the students who attend our institutions, as well as the faculty and staff who work at our schools. These decisions are extremely difficult, particularly when they impact meaningful student-athlete experiences that so many value and cherish.

With the information available to us today regarding the continued spread of the virus, we simply do not believe we can create and maintain an environment for intercollegiate athletic competition that meets our requirements for safety and acceptable levels of risk, consistent with the policies that each of our schools is adopting as part of its reopening plans this fall.

We are entrusted to create and maintain an educational environment that is guided by health and safety considerations. There can be no greater responsibility — and that is the basis for this difficult decision.”

Ivy League Council of Presidents
Christina Paxson, Brown University
Lee Bollinger, Columbia University
Martha Pollack, Cornell University
Philip Hanlon, Dartmouth College
Lawrence Bacow, Harvard University
Amy Gutmann, University of Pennsylvania
Christopher Eisgruber, Princeton University
Peter Salovey, Yale University

https://bigten.org/news/2020/7/9/big-ten-statement-on-2020-21-fall-season.aspx

Basically.........no decision......I guess this means no Big 10 team will be in any NCAA championship event as those are not Big 10 events.......

7/9/2020 3:59:00 PM
Big Ten Statement on 2020-21 Fall Season

We are facing uncertain and unprecedented times, and the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, game officials, and others associated with our sports programs and campuses remain our number one priority.

To that end, the Big Ten Conference announced today that if the Conference is able to participate in fall sports (men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball) based on medical advice, it will move to Conference-only schedules in those sports. Details for these sports will be released at a later date, while decisions on sports not listed above will continue to be evaluated. By limiting competition to other Big Ten institutions, the Conference will have the greatest flexibility to adjust its own operations throughout the season and make quick decisions in real-time based on the most current evolving medical advice and the fluid nature of the pandemic.

This decision was made following many thoughtful conversations over several months between the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, Directors of Athletics, Conference Office staff, and medical experts including the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee.

In addition, the Conference announced that summer athletic activities will continue to be voluntary in all sports currently permitted to engage in such activities. Furthermore, Big Ten student-athletes who choose not to participate in intercollegiate athletics at any time during the summer and/or the 2020-21 academic year due to concerns about COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarship honored by their institution and will remain in good standing with their team.

While Big Ten member institutions continue to rely on the most up-to-date medical information to establish the best protocols for voluntary workouts on their campuses, in compliance with local and state regulations, the Conference is working with the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee to finalize Conference-wide protocols.

As we continue to focus on how to play this season in a safe and responsible way, based on the best advice of medical experts, we are also prepared not to play in order to ensure the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes should the circumstances so dictate.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/college-football-powers-are-canceling-games-small-programs-are-feeling-the-pain-11594477219?mod=hp_major_pos1#cxrecs_s

College Football Powers Are Canceling Games. Small Programs Are Feeling the Pain-
Schools that rely on lucrative games against major-conference teams have major holes in their budgets after the Big Ten and Pac-12 called off games

By Rachel Bachman and Laine Higgins
Updated July 11, 2020 10:24 am ET

"Independent schools that are not aligned with any conference are also being jolted: Brigham Young had five football games canceled by the end of Friday."

***

“It’s every league for themselves right now,” said Bob Moosbrugger, athletic director at Bowling Green. The Falcons lost the two most prominent opponents on their schedule on Thursday: the Big Ten’s Ohio State and Illinois.

Those programs were set to pay Bowling Green a total of $2.2 million to travel to their stadiums, money that now won’t make it into the Falcons’ planned $24 million athletics budget for the coming year.

Even if Bowling Green finds a team or two to fill the holes in its schedule, the games won’t be worth nearly as much."

***

"Kent State, in Kent, Ohio, plays football in the Mid-American Conference and relies on football games against prominent programs to prop up its 19-team athletic department. The school was in the process of cutting its $30 million annual athletics budget by 20% because of the pandemic when the Big Ten made its announcement.

The move means the Golden Flashes won’t play at Penn State to kick off the season. If the SEC also were to cancel nonconference games, Kent State would lose appearances at Kentucky and Alabama. Kent State stood to make a reported $5 million for all three of those contests."

***

"The suddenness of the Big Ten’s decision took some by surprise. Arkansas State athletics officials said there were “no conversations” between the school and Michigan, which were scheduled to play Sept. 19 in Ann Arbor, Mich., before the game was scrapped Thursday."

https://www.njcaa.org/general/2019-20/releases/20200713l9o7t8

Jul 13, 2020

Charlotte, NC – Following the recommendations from the NJCAA Presidential Advisory Council and the NJCAA Board of Regents, the NJCAA has announced its adjusted plan of action for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year. Following the Board of Regents' vote on Monday, a majority of competition will be moved to the spring semester.

"Our greatest focus is and always has been providing the best opportunities for our student-athletes," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO. "Through a unified effort from our Presidential Advisory Council, the Board of Regents, and leadership staff, our most recent plan of action provides a path that keeps our student-athletes competing at the highest level with proper safety measures in place. As we move forward as an association, we will continue to provide opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches, and all those involved with the NJCAA to be safe and successful."

The most recent plan of action shifts all close-contact fall sports to the spring semester. These sports include football, men's and women's soccer, and court volleyball. The NJCAA cross country championships for all three divisions and half marathon championships will remain as their originally scheduled dates in the fall as well as Division III women's tennis.

All winter sports competition will begin in January with a majority of championship seasons moved from March to April. These sports include men's and women's basketball, wrestling, and swimming and diving. Men's and women's bowling and men's and women's indoor track and field will be held at the beginning of March.

Spring sports competition remains intact with minor adjustments to dates. These sports include baseball, softball, beach volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, track and field, and men's and women's tennis.

Along with the adjustments to competition season and championship dates, the NJCAA has provided information as it relates to scrimmage and practice dates and allowances in the fall.

Championship dates are subject to change based on championship facility availability.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/notre-dame-and-everyone-else-is-feeling-bleak-about-college-football-11594814400?mod=hp_listc_pos1

7/15/20

Notre Dame, and Everyone Else, Is Feeling Bleak About College Football
Even the most powerful forces in college football feel powerless to keep the sport on course as coronavirus cases surge across the U.S.

Excerpts below........

“With each day where the country doesn’t get a better handle on the pandemic, the risk to the fall season grows…and the only two options are no season or to explore the spring,” said Swarbrick. “We’re mid-July and the trends are the wrong way.”

***
"Meanwhile, moves by the Big Ten and Pacific-12 Conferences to cancel nonconference schedules have raised questions that are difficult to answer—like how Colorado can play Pac-12 rival Washington, which is over 1,300 miles away, but not Colorado State an hour’s drive north.

The situation at Notre Dame shows how little control even the game’s titans have as the pandemic unfolds. Notre Dame has only reported one positive case in over 250 tests administered to its football team, which is currently residing in a local hotel as voluntary workouts continue."

***
"Yet as long as coronavirus infections rise, as they have since mid-June, the feasibility of staging gridiron contests this fall plummets."

***
"As cases soar in the south, the SEC feels that its season is enough at risk that its football coaches suited up for selfies in school-themed masks for a public service announcement-type video begging people to wear masks."

***
"In the meantime, college officials are trying to stave off a canceled season with conference-only slates. Other conferences may soon follow the Big Ten and Pac-12 in canceling nonconference games. SEC leaders are meeting in Birmingham, Ala., this week and will make an announcement about their season by the end of the month."

***
"Travel might be a factor in those decisions, some public-health officials said. Commercial air travel to get a team to play a far-off nonconference school would be riskier than travel controlled by the school, like a private plane or a bus.'

***
"Patriot League commissioner Jen Heppel—while offended at the suggestion that her league’s schools couldn’t be trusted {Note - regarding Big 10 suggestion some small schools may cheat on testing due to cost} —said it probably wouldn’t be possible to meet that standard. On Monday, her league canceled fall athletic competitions, becoming the second Division I conference to do so after the Ivy League last week."

La Tech announced today they replaced the cancelled game vs Prairie View on 9/19 with Houston Baptist.......

https://www.secsports.com/article/29565989/sec-establishes-new-conference-only-football-start-date


SEC establishes new conference-only football start date
7/30/20


BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (July 30, 2020) - The Southeastern Conference has established September 26 as the new kickoff for its 2020 football season to allow its universities to focus on the healthy return of their campus communities and the gradual re-introduction of athletics, as the 14 members of the SEC continue to monitor developments related to COVID-19, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Thursday.

The 2020 SEC football season will be comprised of a 10-game Conference-only schedule and the SEC Football Championship Game will be played December 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, rescheduled from the original date of December 5. The schedule will include one mid-season open date for each school and an open date on December 12 for all schools.

"This new plan for a football schedule is consistent with the educational goals of our universities to allow for the safe and orderly return to campus of their student populations and to provide a healthy learning environment during these unique circumstances presented by the COVID-19 virus," Sankey said. "This new schedule supports the safety measures that are being taken by each of our institutions to ensure the health of our campus communities."

This action was taken following extensive discussions and thorough deliberation among the SEC's Presidents and Chancellors, Athletics Directors, Conference Office staff, and medical advisors, led by the SEC's Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force.

"After careful consideration of the public health indicators in our region and following advice of our medical advisors, we have determined that this is the best course of action to prepare for a safe and healthy return to competition for SEC student-athletes, coaches and others associated with our sports programs," said Sankey.

The decision to limit competition to Conference-only opponents and rescheduling the SEC Championship Game is based on the need for maximum flexibility in making any necessary scheduling adjustments while reacting to developments around the pandemic and continued advice from medical professionals.

"We believe these schedule adjustments offer the best opportunity to complete a full season by giving us the ability to adapt to the fluid nature of the virus and the flexibility to adjust schedules as necessary if disruptions occur," Sankey said. "It is regrettable that some of our traditional non-conference rivalries cannot take place in 2020 under this plan, but these are unique, and hopefully temporary, circumstances that call for unconventional measures."

The rescheduled start to the season will allow the SEC to continue to monitor health trends across its 11-state footprint, as well as monitor developments in technology around mitigation and treatment of the virus, including:

Trends in public health indicators throughout the SEC's 11-state footprint, including positive cases of COVID-19, hospitalizations and recovery statistics
State, local and campus heath directives, including restrictions on gatherings, isolation requirements for travelers, and other health and travel restrictions
Continued development of risk mitigation strategies
Continued advancement in COVID-19 testing reliability and availability
Continued evolution of time-based strategies for resuming activities after positive test results, including contact tracing, isolation and quarantine requirements
Observation of successes and challenges presented by return to competition in other sports
A revised schedule for the 2020 SEC football season will be announced at a later date following approval by the Conference's athletics directors.

Further decisions regarding safety standards related to athletics events, tailgating and other game day activities, including social distancing, face covering and other health measures consistent with CDC, state and local guidelines, will be announced at a later date.

Other notes related to the resumption of competition:

The SEC announced in July that the sports of men's and women's cross country, soccer and volleyball would be postponed through at least August 31. Start dates and schedules for those sports, as well as sports in their non-traditional seasons during the fall, will be announced at a later date.
The SEC announced in July that student-athletes in all sports who elect to not participate in intercollegiate athletics during the fall 2020 academic semester because of health and/or safety concerns related to COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarships honored by their university and will remain in good standing with their team.
The SEC's Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force continues to meet on policies and procedures for the safe return of student-athletes to competition, including the development of comprehensive testing and reporting policies, building on the NCAA's Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines.
Each athletics program has been engaged in evaluating best practices for game operations to prepare a safe environment for student-athletes, coaches, staff, officials and other individuals necessary to conduct games.

So, since UConn decided this on their own (they were going to be an independent this season) , do they simply have to forfeit all games? There are teams that cannot play due to their conference rules so I can see no forfeit there. However, for teams that do play that are on their UConn's schedule, why would they not get a win as they would any other time an opponent did not show up?

UCONN FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF 2020 SEASON DUE TO RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19

8/5/2020

https://uconnhuskies.com/news/2020/8/5/uconn-football-announces-cancellation-of-2020-season-due-to-risks-associated-with-covid-19.aspx

The University of Connecticut Department of Athletics today announced that its football program will cancel all competition for the 2020-21 school year.

"After receiving guidance from state and public health officials and consulting with football student-athletes, we've decided that we will not compete on the gridiron this season," director of athletics David Benedict said. "The safety challenges created by COVID-19 place our football student-athletes at an unacceptable level of risk."

Members of the team will remain enrolled in classes, either virtually or in person, as full-time students at UConn. The team members will also retain access to facilities and support services in accordance with NCAA rules, ensuring that student-athletes remain on track academically and developmentally.

While the Huskies began spring practice on February 4 and were one of the only teams in the country to complete a full spring schedule, the opportunities to condition and train as a team have been limited in recent months. The team has been on campus since early July with zero student-athletes testing positive for COVID-19.

This season's games against Illinois, Indiana, Maine and Mississippi have already been taken off the schedule by those schools' respective conferences and uncertainty surrounded the contests against North Carolina and Virginia.

"The necessary measures needed to mitigate risk of football student-athletes contracting the coronavirus are not conducive to delivering an optimal experience for our team," Benedict said. "Ultimately, the student-athletes would rather preserve their year of eligibility with an eye to competing under more typical circumstances during the 2021 season."

Head football coach Randy Edsall concurred. "We engaged and listened to the concerns of our football student-athletes and feel this is the best decision for their health, safety, and well-being," Edsall said. "Our team is united in this approach and we will use this time to further player development within the program and gear ourselves to the 2021 season."

The football student-athletes offered their thoughts in a statement. "As a team we are in full support of the decision to not compete in 2020. We have many health concerns and not enough is known about the potential long term effects of contracting COVID-19. Additionally, we have not had the optimal time to train mentally & physically to be properly prepared to compete this season. We love this game and love competing. We came to campus in the beginning of July knowing there would be challenges presented by the pandemic but it is apparent to us now that these challenges are impossible to overcome."

"I am supportive of this decision and know that it was made in conjunction with and in the best interest of our football student-athletes, University President Thomas Katsouleas said. "These young men love competing for UConn and our fans love cheering for them on Saturdays. But the associated health risks are too much to overcome and I agree this is the best course of action."

UConn Athletics will be reaching out to season ticket holders and supporters in the coming days to further explain options and provide individualized solutions as needed including full refunds when requested. Regarding the status of other fall sports, UConn will continue to work with the BIG EAST to chart the best path forward.

"Among all the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic for the last several months, our top priority has clearly been and will always be ensuring the health and well-being of our student-athletes, staff and fans," Benedict continued. "With that in mind, we concluded that this action was necessary. Obviously, there are details that need to be addressed but safety was foremost on our minds when making this decision and we know our fans share that same commitment."

CAA FOOTBALL VOTES TO SUSPEND CONFERENCE COMPETITION IN 2020


This hurts FCS playoffs due to strength of the conference....

7/17/20

https://caasports.com/news/2020/7/17/caa-football-votes-to-suspend-conference-competition-in-2020.aspx

RICHMOND, Va. (July 17, 2020) – CAA Football announced today that the Conference’s Board of Directors has voted to suspend conference competition in the Fall of 2020 due to continuing concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference expressed a strong commitment to exploring the possibility of conducting a football season during the Spring of 2021, and will continue to analyze this scenario as more information becomes available and conditions continue to evolve.

In expressing an understanding of the uniqueness of the Conference’s composition (12 institutions that compete in other sports in four Division I Conferences), the geographical expansion of the Conference membership and the complexity of an ever-changing situation, the Conference’s Board of Directors also affirmed that the Conference’s policies would permit member institutions the ability to explore the option of pursuing playing an independent football schedule in the Fall of 2020.

“I commend the Board of Directors for their forward thinking and open-mindedness when dealing with the uncertain and complex moment that we find ourselves in,” said CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio. “Each of our institutions is making the best decisions for its campus community, based on a totality of the circumstances analysis.”

For the 2020-21 academic year, institutions will have the ability to manage practice activities for its football student-athletes in a manner that best meets institutional, federal, state and local guidelines, as well as NCAA Rules.

Fall Sports Competition Postponed for Duration of First Semester

7/16/20

https://americaeast.com/news/2020/7/16/fall_sports_update.aspx

BOSTON – With the health and safety of its member institutions’ communities, the importance of successful institutional campus reopenings and the overall well-being of its student-athletes as its top priorities, the America East Conference Board of Presidents announced today a postponement, not cancellation, of all America East fall sport athletics competition and championships for the duration of the first semester.

With this announcement, the conference will develop plans for a competitive structure in the second semester and will identify a working group to begin studying this immediately. Athletics activities and student-athlete services for fall sports including but not limited to training, practice, strength and conditioning, athletic training and academic support will be permitted at each institution’s discretion in adherence with NCAA rules and local and state health and safety guidelines.

The decision and framework for fall sport operations were unanimously approved by the league’s Board of Presidents.

Further, the conference will continue to monitor the landscape and conditions surrounding the pandemic, locally, regionally and nationally, and make any decisions or announcements at a later date regarding its winter sports, as necessary.

Statement from America East Board of Presidents Chair, Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, University at Albany “The past few weeks have been unquestionably difficult in working our way through the process that led us to this outcome. However, this proactive decision by our members to postpone fall sport athletics competition for the duration of the first semester is in the best interest of all America East student-athletes, athletics departments and university communities. Right now, it is imperative that each of our institutions can safely reopen to their broader campus communities and this decision supports those efforts. We have always maintained that the health, safety and well-being of everyone within our conference, especially our student-athletes, is paramount. Unfortunately, given the current persistence, restrictions and uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear to us now that this difficult, but responsible decision must be made.”

Statement from America East Commissioner, Amy Huchthausen
“This was not an easy conclusion for our membership to reach but it was made with care and diligence and with health and safety as the highest priority. For the last several months, we have been working extensively with our membership to prepare for the fall sports season, including developing health and safety protocols, revising schedules and creating contingency plans. We have remained optimistic that we could safely conduct a fall sports season, however, there are several external factors outside of our institutions’ control that will limit and disrupt our ability to deliver our student-athletes an experience they deserve. While several outstanding issues and questions remain, we are hopeful that creative thinking and solutions will emerge in concert with improved measures to reduce the risk associated with COVID-19 as the academic year unfolds.”

Finally located the NCAA's release of 8/5/2020 re fall championships....a bit buried. This seems to be a steep hill and plenty of ways to justify just shutting down. It seems unfair to me that if all other elements are met, the FCS playoffs under the 50% rule could still fail the test due to SWAC and Ivy canceling their seasons yet they do not participate in football playoffs.

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/board-directs-each-division-safeguard-student-athlete-well-being-scholarships-and-eligibility

Board directs each division to safeguard student-athlete well-being, scholarships and eligibility - Divisions must determine status of fall championships no later than Aug. 21
August 5, 2020 11:44am

The NCAA Board of Governors has directed schools and conferences to meet specific requirements if they are to conduct NCAA fall sports during the preseason, regular season and postseason. Further, each division is directed to determine its ability to meet those requirements to conduct fall championships.

The board expressed serious concerns about the continuing high levels of COVID-19 infection in many parts of the nation. The board has determined that it will only support moving forward with fall championships and other postseason play if strict conditions are applied and adhered to.

The requirements include:

All fall sports activity (preseason, regular season and postseason) must follow the recently released return-to-sport guidelines from the NCAA Sport Science Institute for all athletic activity. As the guidelines change based on the ever-changing pandemic, schools must follow any future modifications.
The NCAA will establish a phone number and email to allow college athletes, parents or others to report alleged failures. The Association will notify school and conference administrators, who will be expected to take immediate action.
All member schools must adhere to federal, state and local guidelines related to COVID-19. Further, the conduct of NCAA championships must be in line with federal, state and local guidelines.
All student-athletes must be allowed to opt out of participation due to concerns about contracting COVID-19. If a college athlete chooses to opt out, that individual’s athletics scholarship commitment must be honored by the college or university.
Each division must determine no later than Aug. 14 the eligibility accommodations that must be made for student-athletes who opt out of participating this fall or for those whose seasons are canceled or cut short due to COVID-19. College athletes and their families must know what their eligibility status will be before beginning the fall season.
Member schools may not require student-athletes to waive their legal rights regarding COVID-19 as a condition of athletics participation.
Member schools, in conjunction with existing insurance standards, must cover COVID-19 related medical expenses for student-athletes to prevent out-of-pocket expenses for college athletes and their families.
Any NCAA fall championship or other postseason contests must be conducted within enhanced safety protocols for student-athletes and essential athletics personnel. These safety enhancements will include regular testing, separation of college athletes and essential personnel from all other nonessential personnel, and physical distancing and masking policies during all aspects of noncompetition.
NCAA championships may use reduced bracketing, a reduced number of competitors, predetermined sites and, where appropriate, single sites to limit exposure to COVID-19.
If 50% or more of eligible teams in a particular sport in a division cancel their fall season, there will be no fall NCAA championship in that sport in that division.
If fall sports championships are postponed in any division, a decision to conduct that championship at a later date will be based upon the scientific data available at that time regarding COVID-19, along with other considerations.
The divisions must determine by Aug. 21 whether their respective fall sports seasons and NCAA championships should occur this year. All three divisions must follow their governance processes in making decisions.

“The first and most important consideration is whether sports can be conducted safely for college athletes,” said Michael V. Drake, chair of the board and University of California system president. “Each division must examine whether it has the resources available to take the required precautions given the spread of COVID-19.”

The board based its requirements on guidance from the NCAA’s COVID-19 Advisory Panel, established in March and comprising leading medical, public health and epidemiology experts. The panel will continue to closely monitor the pandemic and its impact on higher education and college sports and to provide any recommended changes to the requirements.

“Our decisions place emphasis where it belongs — on the health and safety of college athletes,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said. “Student-athletes should never feel pressured into playing their sport if they do not believe it is safe to do so. These policies ensure they can make thoughtful, informed decisions about playing this fall.”

Emmert also emphasized the need for each division to conduct a careful evaluation of the viability of fall championships. He acknowledged that each division is unique.

“First and foremost, we need to make sure we provide a safe environment for college athletes to compete for an opportunity to play in NCAA championships,” Emmert said. “A decision based on the realities in each division will provide clarity for conferences and campuses as they determine how to safely begin the academic year and the return to sports.”

Media Contact
Stacey
Osburn
NCAA Director of Communications
NCAA
317-917-6117

https://getsomemaction.com/news/2020/8/7/general-mid-american-conference-announces-postponement-of-fall-sports.aspx

MAC Announces Postponement of Fall Sports

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference (MAC) has announced the postponement of all scheduled fall contests, as well as MAC championships, due to continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Council of Presidents unanimously voted to take this action with the health and safety of its student-athletes, coaches and communities as its top priority. It is the intention of the membership to provide competitive opportunities for the student-athletes in these sports during the spring semester of 2021.

The fall sports affected are men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. At this time, there have been no decisions made regarding winter sports.

DII Presidents Council cancels fall 2020 championships

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/dii-presidents-council-cancels-fall-2020-championships

Division III Presidents Council cancels fall championships

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/division-iii-presidents-council-cancels-fall-championships