Big West Conference Cancels ‘Fall’ Sports for 2020-21
Another heartbreaking cancelation impacting collegiate players who were hoping to play their fall season this spring. No collegiate competitions until 21-22.
The NCAA Division I Big West Conference Board of Directors cancels Big West fall sports competition for the remainder of the college year.
Cal Poly, CSU Bakersfield, Cal State Fullerton, CSUN, Hawai‘i, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara will not have a Men’s or Women’s soccer conference this spring. College soccer on schedule for the fall of 2021-22.
The decision of the Board to not conduct men’s and women’s soccer for the 2020-21 academic year came after extended consideration of the ongoing health and safety challenges affecting Big West campuses and communities, and the significant resources required to properly safeguard the health and well-being of all student-athletes. This decision does not impact fall sports unaffiliated with the Big West Conference.
“Protecting the health and safety of our student-athletes and following public health guidelines are our top priorities,” Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly said. “Despite a strong desire to return our fall sport student-athletes to competition, the Board unanimously agreed that the resources and protocols needed to safely and equitably conduct fall, winter and spring sports seasons concurrently was not in line with those priorities nor in the best interests of our student-athletes and coaches.”
“This was a difficult decision, particularly in light of the significant sacrifices our staff, coaches, student-athletes and their families have already made in the interest of public health,” said Howard Gillman, Chair of the Big West Board of Directors and the University of California, Irvine Chancellor.
“While this decision is disappointing for many, the health and safety of Big West student-athletes, coaches, staff and the campus community continue to be the preeminent priorities for the CEO’s of the conference’s 11 institutions,” said Gillman.
Source: Press Release
