BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE DELAYS FALL SEASONS; TARGETS SPRING
8/12/2020 10:10:00 AM | Cross Country, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball, Women's Cross Country, Men's Cross Country
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – With the health and well-being of its student-athletes as its top priority, the Big South Conference announced today it is delaying its fall sports seasons with the intent of playing in the spring. This includes the sports of men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's soccer, and volleyball. Additionally, fall competitions in the sports of men's and women's golf and men's and women's tennis, and out of season competitions in spring sports have been suspended as well. Football members will be allowed to participate in up to four non-conference games in the fall due to contractual obligations.
"We are all broken-hearted that we will not be able to provide competitive opportunities for Big South student-athletes this fall," commented Commissioner Kyle Kallander. "However, the path forward must protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, and some of the current trends and unknowns with COVID-19 have made that a huge challenge. Our intention is to shift these fall seasons to the spring as we would like nothing more than to crown Big South champions in all 19 of our sports this year if possible."
Big South member institutions may continue with permissible athletics activities, as defined by NCAA regulations and with the exception of fall sport competition, at their own discretion and in accordance with applicable local and state regulations and procedures.
Statement from USC Upstate Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics, Daniel Feig
The Big South's actions today are consistent with our primary mission of developing our student-athletes on and off the field of play and prioritizing their health and well-being. While we all wanted to compete this fall, in the end there was simply too much uncertainty and questions regarding COVID-19 to move forward with outside competition at this time. Nevertheless, I want to commend our athletic trainers, team doctors, university health services, and partners at Spartanburg Regional whom have worked really long hours on our return to play protocols over the past few months to ensure that the health and welfare of our student-athletes is at the forefront of all we do. Our goal is to fine-tune our protocols and learn how to practice safely during this pandemic over the next few months so that we can get back out on the field, court, and course as soon as possible and compete for Big South championships and tournament berths, which we hope will be as soon as this winter and certainly next spring!
"We are all broken-hearted that we will not be able to provide competitive opportunities for Big South student-athletes this fall," commented Commissioner Kyle Kallander. "However, the path forward must protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, and some of the current trends and unknowns with COVID-19 have made that a huge challenge. Our intention is to shift these fall seasons to the spring as we would like nothing more than to crown Big South champions in all 19 of our sports this year if possible."
Big South member institutions may continue with permissible athletics activities, as defined by NCAA regulations and with the exception of fall sport competition, at their own discretion and in accordance with applicable local and state regulations and procedures.
Statement from USC Upstate Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics, Daniel Feig
The Big South's actions today are consistent with our primary mission of developing our student-athletes on and off the field of play and prioritizing their health and well-being. While we all wanted to compete this fall, in the end there was simply too much uncertainty and questions regarding COVID-19 to move forward with outside competition at this time. Nevertheless, I want to commend our athletic trainers, team doctors, university health services, and partners at Spartanburg Regional whom have worked really long hours on our return to play protocols over the past few months to ensure that the health and welfare of our student-athletes is at the forefront of all we do. Our goal is to fine-tune our protocols and learn how to practice safely during this pandemic over the next few months so that we can get back out on the field, court, and course as soon as possible and compete for Big South championships and tournament berths, which we hope will be as soon as this winter and certainly next spring!
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