IRVINE, Calif.--Due to the concerns arising from all the challenges surrounding COVID-19, the Pacific West Conference Executive Board voted unanimously Thursday to postpone intercollegiate competition in PacWest fall sports until after January 1, 2021.
PacWest fall sports include men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, and women's volleyball. The action was taken due to rapidly changing information and guidelines from the NCAA, as well as the states, counties, and areas where the 11 PacWest institutions compete.
While this decision postpones fall 2020 sports competition, institutions will still be allowed to conduct organized team activities at their own discretion, including workouts, practices, strength and conditioning, and access to their athletic training staff, as local, county, and state guidelines permit. Options for moving fall sport schedules into the winter/spring are being developed and reviewed.
"The health and safety of our student-athletes is our top priority," PacWest Commissioner Bob Hogue said. "We remain committed to giving all of our student-athletes a positive competitive experience as much as possible."
A decision on the start of the 2020-21 winter sports season, as well as the non-championship segments of spring sports, is expected to be made by October 1.
Vulcan Athletic Director
Patrick Guillen was disappointed but supportive of the decision.
"Our decision as a conference to postpone fall sports was one of the most gut-wrenching decisions that I have ever been a part of in college athletics," Guillen said in a letter to UHH student-athletes. "On one hand I realize and know how all of you have been preparing and planning for the upcoming season. On the other hand, your health and safety must guide us and be our top priority."
(Click here for Guillen's complete letter.)
"This was a very difficult, but well-thought-out decision and one that so many individuals worked together on over the past several weeks," Hogue said. "We're appreciative of everyone's efforts and look forward to a time when we can all be safely out on the field of play again."
