DENVER — In consideration of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Athletic Conference Board of Directors voted today to suspend all fall championship and non-championship athletics competition through the end of the calendar year.
"It obviously was a difficult decision, and not one made lightly," said WAC Commissioner Jeff Hurd. "But it was one made after extensive discussion and consideration of all relevant factors as well as input from conference administrators and the Medical Advisory Committee. The health and safety of our student-athletes, the many others associated with our athletics programs and all those in our campus environments always will be the highest priority."
"The Board recognizes the disappointment felt by our student-athletes, coaches and fans, but it believes the decision is in the best interest of all concerned," said WAC Board Chair and Seattle U President, Fr. Stephen Sundborg, S.J.
"While heartbreaking and difficult, the health and wellbeing of our student-athletes remains the utmost priority and the decision not to compete this fall is in the best interest of the Seattle U community," said Director of Athletics Shaney Fink. "We all grieve for what we have lost in this global pandemic. Though not at all what we had imagined for this fall quarter, we must now adjust our focus beyond competition and provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes."
The fall conference championship sports affected are men's and women's cross country, volleyball and men's and women's soccer. Contingent on the NCAA fall championships being moved to the spring and if feasible, the WAC will conduct the respective sports during the same time frame.
The decision also affects the non-championship portion of the schedule for men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf, baseball and softball with January 1, 2021 set as the earliest opportunity for competition in these sports. For the Redhawks, women's rowing will also follow the January 1 guideline.
Men's and women's basketball and men's and women's swimming and diving competition will be postponed through the end of October pending Board discussion on winter athletics competition.
Affiliate members remain under the jurisdiction of institutional discretion when it comes to determining a safe return to competition.
Conditioning, strength training and other practice opportunities in all sports will be permitted per institutional discretion.
"The college experience is special," said Fink. "At Seattle U, we work with urgency, understanding how quickly the days pass with four years of athletic eligibility. Regardless of circumstances surrounding intercollegiate athletics competition, of class courses taken remotely or whether students return to campus this quarter, we will continue to deliver a uniquely Seattle, distinctly Jesuit Catholic and inclusively excellent athletic experience.
"We will work relentlessly to fulfill the mission of Redhawk Athletics, build campus community and spirit, engage alumni and share the transformative mission of Seattle U to attract talented students to our remarkable university. We will emerge from these challenging times and we will do it by living out our value of CARE—putting the good of students first and staying focused on our purpose driven mission."
"It obviously was a difficult decision, and not one made lightly," said WAC Commissioner Jeff Hurd. "But it was one made after extensive discussion and consideration of all relevant factors as well as input from conference administrators and the Medical Advisory Committee. The health and safety of our student-athletes, the many others associated with our athletics programs and all those in our campus environments always will be the highest priority."
"The Board recognizes the disappointment felt by our student-athletes, coaches and fans, but it believes the decision is in the best interest of all concerned," said WAC Board Chair and Seattle U President, Fr. Stephen Sundborg, S.J.
"While heartbreaking and difficult, the health and wellbeing of our student-athletes remains the utmost priority and the decision not to compete this fall is in the best interest of the Seattle U community," said Director of Athletics Shaney Fink. "We all grieve for what we have lost in this global pandemic. Though not at all what we had imagined for this fall quarter, we must now adjust our focus beyond competition and provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes."
The fall conference championship sports affected are men's and women's cross country, volleyball and men's and women's soccer. Contingent on the NCAA fall championships being moved to the spring and if feasible, the WAC will conduct the respective sports during the same time frame.
The decision also affects the non-championship portion of the schedule for men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf, baseball and softball with January 1, 2021 set as the earliest opportunity for competition in these sports. For the Redhawks, women's rowing will also follow the January 1 guideline.
Men's and women's basketball and men's and women's swimming and diving competition will be postponed through the end of October pending Board discussion on winter athletics competition.
Affiliate members remain under the jurisdiction of institutional discretion when it comes to determining a safe return to competition.
Conditioning, strength training and other practice opportunities in all sports will be permitted per institutional discretion.
"The college experience is special," said Fink. "At Seattle U, we work with urgency, understanding how quickly the days pass with four years of athletic eligibility. Regardless of circumstances surrounding intercollegiate athletics competition, of class courses taken remotely or whether students return to campus this quarter, we will continue to deliver a uniquely Seattle, distinctly Jesuit Catholic and inclusively excellent athletic experience.
"We will work relentlessly to fulfill the mission of Redhawk Athletics, build campus community and spirit, engage alumni and share the transformative mission of Seattle U to attract talented students to our remarkable university. We will emerge from these challenging times and we will do it by living out our value of CARE—putting the good of students first and staying focused on our purpose driven mission."