NEW YORK – Due to the unusual and lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BIG EAST conference and its member institutions have announced that fall sports competition will not be held in 2020. The conference will consider alternative options for fall sports for fall sports in the spring of 2021.
The decision was made in consultation with the BIG EAST COVID-19 Task Force, an intra-conference medical advisory group that includes administrators, physicians, athletic trainers, student-athletes, and national experts in global pandemics and infectious diseases.
“The decision not to hold a bankruptcy sports competition was not made clear,” said BIG EAST Board Chairman and Villanova University President Reverend Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD. “Athletics play an integral role in the experience of students, alumni and fans at each of our institutions, and we were all hoping that the fall seasons could advance. However, given the guidance of the BIG EAST COVID-19 Task Force “This decision, although disappointing, was made with the health and safety of our student-athletes and staff in mind. The well-being of our community members is, and will remain, our priority and focus.”
“This very difficult decision came after an exhaustive assessment by our presidents and directors for athletics and followed consideration of NCAA guidance, COVID-19 case counts and trend lines nationwide and in BIG EAST communities, and the many unknowns testing around. of availability, turnaround time and travel restrictions in our 11 premises, “said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. “We are proud of the high-level competition and experiences we provide to our fallout student athletes, and we share their deep disappointment that this will not be a normal year. Our plans for men’s and women’s basketball and other sports are not affected at this time. ”
“I fully support the difficult but necessary decision made by the BIG EAST presidents to postpone the competition for bankruptcy,” said athletics director David Benedict sei. “Our student-athletes are proud to compete, but in the last few days talking to many of them, I knew they made this decision with their health and well-being at the forefront. We remain committed to delivering a world. -class academic and athletic experience to all our student-athletes, while also providing a safe and supportive environment on campus. ”
Other details are as follows:
- The influential sports are: men’s and women’s football, men’s and women’s country country, volleyball and field hockey. Sports not sponsored by the BIG EAST Conference will not be affected.
- The autumn competition for sports in its non-traditional seasons, which includes baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s tennis, is not held.
- During the fall months, BIG EAST student-athletes will be able to participate in various team activities, such as internships, strength and conditioning sessions, and team meetings, compliance with individual campus policies, public health guidelines, and NCAA and conference arrangements.
- The BIG EAST COVID Task Force will continue to oversee COVID-19 conditions throughout the country and in BIG EAST communities. Decisions on schedules for winter and spring sports will be made at a later date.
The BIG EAST:
The BIG EAST Conference is an association of 11 nationally renowned colleges and universities that foster healthy athletic competition, community service, and the pursuit of excellence in academic settings. The athletic programs of BIG EAST institutions provide opportunities for participation of national caliber for more than 4,100 student athletes on more than 200 men’s and women’s teams in 22 sports. The BIG EAST members were founded in 1979 and are headquartered in New York City, and are in eight of the country’s top 36 largest media brands and include Butler University, University of Connecticut, Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, St. John’s University, Seton Hall University, Villanova University and Xavier University. Visit www.bigeast.com for more information.
