GREENSBORO, NC (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference recognizes the uncertain and challenging environment facing all areas of our society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Intercollegiate athletics is just one area that we must address as we work to return to our campuses, bring back students and faculty when possible, and pursue our academic missions and goals as part of higher education. The health, safety, and well-being of all components of our campus are at the forefront of all decisions.
With this in mind, the ACC Board of Directors announced that if the public health guide allows, the seven ACC sponsored fall sports will begin competing during the week of September 7-12. The announcement follows several months of discussion and scenario planning between league members and the Medical Advisory Group. Each decision is based on the best medical guidelines available and coincides with the academic missions of our universities.
“As we look into the fall, the safety of our students, staff, and the general campus community remains our top priority,” said Kent Syverud, Chancellor of Syracuse University and chairman of the ACC Board of Directors. Today’s announcement outlines a specific path for ACC Fall Sports to return to interscholastic athletic competition using comprehensive protocols presented by our ACC Medical Advisory Group. As a league, we understand the need to stay flexible and be prepared to adjust as medical information evolves along with state and local health guidelines. “
“Today’s decision was made after months of careful planning by numerous people throughout the conference,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “The Board’s decision presents a way, if the public health guide allows it, to advance with the competition. Our institutions undertake to take the necessary measures to facilitate the return in a safe and responsible manner. We recognize that we may need to be agile and make adjustments in the future. We will be as prepared as possible in case that need arises. ”
The ACC Medical Advisory Group, which has met weekly since spring to share information on the impact of COVID-19 on ACC campuses and interscholastic athletics, has recommended minimum standards for each campus to follow as the fall sports. Those recommendations include weekly tests for close contact sports, standards for reporting positive test results, and protocols for cleaning and disinfecting competition areas. The full report is available. HBEFORE.
Listed below is specific information for the 2020 league soccer and Olympic sports competition. The league leadership and its medical advisory group will continue to meet weekly to share information and discuss medical issues related to ACC’s return to play. If future adjustments are necessary, the ACC Board of Directors will do so at the appropriate time.
ACC Football:
- The first games of the season will take place the week of September 7-12.
- The 2020 programming model includes 11 games (10 plus one: 10 conferences and one non-conference)
- All non-conference opponents, selected by the respective school, must be played in the ACC institution’s home state, and all non-conference opponents must meet the medical protocol requirements as agreed by the ACC
- All 11 games will be played for at least 13 weeks and each team will have two open dates
- There will be a division
- Notre Dame will also play a 10-game conference schedule and be eligible to compete in the 2020 ACC Football Championship Game.
- All television revenue for the 2020 season, including NBC-broadcast Notre Dame home games, will be shared equally by all 15 institutions.
- The ACC Football Championship Game will be played on December 12 or 19 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will feature the top two teams by highest winning percentage in the conference game.
- The 15 teams will continue to be part of the ACC bowl selection process; If Notre Dame were to win the ACC Football Championship Game, they would be eligible for the Orange Bowl, if they were not selected as a College Football Playoff semifinal team
- ACC Football 2020 Weekly Schedule and TV Picks to Launch in Future
ACC Fall Olympic Sports:
- Fall Olympic Sports Competition May Begin Thursday, September 10
- Team sports will play a conference schedule that meets the minimum number of NCAA games: field hockey (6), women’s soccer (6), men’s soccer (6), and volleyball (10)
- Schools will continue to schedule field competitions through the regular season at their discretion.
- Any additional play against conference opponents or non-conference opponents is at the discretion of the respective school and all opponents must meet ACC medical standards.
- Any additional games against conference opponents that are beyond mandatory conference times would not count in the ACC ranking.
- The ACC Fall Championships schedule
- The cross country championships will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC, on October 30, and will include the fifteen member schools.
- The field hockey championship will be held at Duke University on November 5, 6 and 8.
- The women’s soccer championship will include the top four teams and will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina on November 6 and 8, as previously announced.
- The men’s soccer championship will include the top four teams and will take place at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina on November 13-15.
- In the future, television selections will be made through ACC’s partnership with ESPN and the ACC Network.
ACC Winter and Spring Olympic Sports:
- Competition in swimming and diving sports, indoor athletics and fencing will be postponed until at least September 10
- Fall competition for men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, rowing, lacrosse, softball, and men’s and women’s baseball has been canceled
- Student athletes in golf and tennis continue to be eligible to compete singles
- Teams in all sports may continue to practice at the discretion of their institution.
