Pac-12 postpones all sports through end of 2020, plans to reevaluate in 2021
Pac-12 officials said that the conference would consider a return to competition for impacted sports after Jan. 1, 2021.
FILE – In this Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, the Pac-12 logo is displayed on the field at Sun Devil Stadium during an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Kent State in Tempe, Ariz. As the wealthiest conferences like the Pac-12 lay out plans they hope will protect athletes from contracting and spreading COVID-19, most of the schools in the second-tier of Division I football have given up on trying to play in the fall. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
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(News Nation) — The Pac-12 announced Tuesday all sports competitions will be postponed through the end of the 2020 calendar year, just hours after the Big Ten confirmed the same amid coronavirus concerns.
Pac-12 officials held a press conference Tuesday to announce their decision saying that the conference would consider a return to competition for impacted sports after Jan. 1, 2021.
In a press release, Pac-12 said student-athletes impacted by the postponement will continue to have their scholarships granted and encouraged the NCAA to grant students an additional year of eligiblity.
“Additionally, the Pac-12 Conference strongly encourages that the NCAA grant students who opt out of competition this academic year an additional year of eligibility,” the conference said in a press release. “As part of their guaranteed scholarships, they will continue to have university support, including academic advising and tutoring, among other support services.”
“All of the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors understand the importance of this decision, and the disappointment it will create for our student-athletes, the coaches, support staff and all of our fans,” said Michael H. Schill, president of the University of Oregon. “Ultimately, our decision was guided by science and a deep commitment to the health and welfare of student-athletes. We certainly hope that the Pac-12 will be able to return to competition in the New Year.”
Some of the fall sports postponed include:
- football
- men’s and women’s soccer
- women’s volleyball
“We know that this is a difficult day for our student-athletes, and our hearts go out to them and their families,” said Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott. “We have made clear that all of their scholarships will be guaranteed, and that as a Conference we are strongly encouraging the NCAA to grant them an additional year of eligibility.”
The Pac-12 Conference has 12 teams within the conference, primarily located on the west coast.
The Big Ten conference was the first of the Power 5 to cancel not only fall football, but the entire fall sports season.
This story is developing. Refresh for updates.
