CCAA Suspends Fall Soccer Season
In this time of chaos and complexity, another announcement of cancellations and suspensions of soccer hit the headlines. CCAA member institutions have determined that NCAA sport competition will not occur during the fall of 2020.
The Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak has caused unprecedented disruption. Every day, there seem to be new cancelations as the Coronavirus COVID-19 has deeply impacted on soccer at every level.
Since the pandemic was declared in March, the world’s favorite sport has endured weeks of a moratorium. In this extremely challenging environment, it is now clear that our return to pre-pandemic life won’t happen safely anytime soon.
Now, plans for the fall collegiate sports season are being reviewed. There is concern that opening up college campuses across the country is an impossible dream that may turn into a reality for only an undetermined number. The problem? The insidious spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, fears of a second wave, the lack of adequate testing, and no confirmed timetable for a vaccine.
Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan has voiced skepticism on colleges and universities reopening this fall for on-campus activities saying on May 12 that it is “unrealistic … unsafe.
Just after Timothy P. White, Chancellor of America’s largest four-year public university system, California State University with 480,000 undergraduates on 23 campuses, announced that their programs will not welcome students back this fall, the CCAA suspended its fall 2020 season.
CCAA (California Collegiate Athletic Association) is one of the nation’s most successful Division II intercollegiate athletic conferences since inception in December 1938.
CCAA is a 12-member league and home to some of the nation’s finest NCAA Division II athletic programs including Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State East Bay, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State San Marcos, Chico State, Humboldt State, San Francisco State, Sonoma State and Stanislaus State. Former member UC San Diego is just becoming a DI member.
Dr. Gayle Hutchinson, President, Chico State University Chair, CCAA Board of Presidents with Mitch Cox, Commissioner CCAA released the following statement on May 12:
Based on Chancellor White’s May 12th announcement that the vast majority of CSU courses will be virtual for the fall semester of the 2020-21 academic year, and with the utmost consideration for the health and welfare of our students, coaches, staff, faculty and communities, CCAA member institutions have determined that NCAA sport competition will not occur during the fall of 2020.
The CCAA member institutions look forward to resuming competition when it is safe and appropriate to do so for all of its members.
CCAA has earned 152 All-Time NCAA Championships, the most among all NCAA Division II Conference.
According to the NCAA website, the COVID-19 Advisory Panel of leading medical, public health, and epidemiology experts led by NCAA Chief Medical Officer Brian Hainline has put together nine core principles to help guide institutions as they answer these challenging questions.
The document, “Resocialization in Sport,” takes into consideration federal recommendations, relying on experts, data and science, and puts the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes and the needs of the membership first.
For NCAA’s information on the latest COVID-19 Updates, please click here.
