The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), and The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) have decided to suspend of all sporting and championship events through the Fall of 2020 due to ongoing safety concerns associated with COVID-19.
“This was a difficult decision but remains consistent with our long-standing priority of always acting in the best interest of our student-athletes, coaches, and support staff,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. “While there will be no athletic competition in the fall, we will continue to support opportunities that enhance the experiences of our student-athletes, member institutions, and partners.”
SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore added, “The action taken by our conference to suspend fall sports was informed by a core desire on the part of our SIAC member institutions to make every effort to protect and mitigate COVID-19 related health and safety risk exposure to our students, coaches, and staff during this uncertain and unpredictable environment. It is our intention to seek eligibility relief for those student-athletes impacted by this interruption similar to that relief which was accorded to 2020 Spring sport student-athletes whose seasons were interrupted during the early stages of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The CIAA and SIAC both are assessing the possibility of moving some fall sports, including football, into the spring semester.
Additionally, CIAA membership has unanimously agreed to honor athletic scholarships for their fall sports student-athletes.
Decisions concerning winter and spring sports will be discussed as efforts to flatten the curve of new COVID-19 cases progress.
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