PROVO – The West Coast Conference announced Thursday that the WCC President’s Council is delaying the start of fall sports until September 24 due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement stated that the “health and safety of all student athletes” is “paramount in all decisions.”
This means that teams competing in the fall (men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball) are affected by this announcement and cannot begin competition until September 24.
The men’s and women’s basketball competition seasons, scheduled to begin on November 10, are not affected by this decision, the league said. This decision does not apply to sports that are not sponsored by the WCC, including BYU and San Diego soccer seasons.
“As we plan for our fall sports seasons, we appreciate the dialogue and attention that the WCC has gone through to review the variety of circumstances in member schools and consider the safety of our student-athletes,” said BYU Athletic Director. Tom Holmoe. statement. “We are in the process of working on our fall sports schedules, given the parameters provided by the WCC, and we appreciate the flexibility of scheduling competitions outside of the conference with other universities.”
Baseball, beach volleyball, men’s and women’s golf, women’s rowing, softball, and men’s and women’s tennis, which run their seasons in the spring, will not participate in a fall competition scheduled before September 24, according to officials at the league.
“While difficult, this is a necessary move to ensure that we are providing the safest environment for our programs to compete,” said Commissioner of the West Coast Conference, Gloria Nevarez, in a statement. “We have worked on plans for a variety of circumstances and we believe that, with our actions guided by information and science, this is the responsible decision at this time. We will continue to evaluate our best path to move forward with the health and safety of all involved as the guiding principle of our discussions. ”
According to the WCC, “voluntary and mandatory in-person sport-related activities outside the competition, including training and practices, may be conducted at the institution’s discretion in accordance with NCAA regulations and local guidelines for Health and security”.
The statement added that “discussions focused on the health and well-being of the WCC’s students, staff, fans and local communities. The conference and its members understand that providing a safe environment while treating this virus has an impact in each of our campus communities as well as in our global community. “
