Due to the concerns arising from all the challenges surrounding COVID-19, the PacWest 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.
“Chaminade University and its partner institutions in the PacWest Conference did not make the decision to postpone the fall season lightly and understand it is very disappointing news to our student-athletes,” said Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington. “We know how important athletics are in the lives of our students and so we appreciate their continued resilience and flexibility as we navigate this crisis together.
“By delaying the upcoming PacWest season, we are making a difficult but appropriate choice that prioritizes the health and safety of our communities. Chaminade joins our conference partners in looking ahead to the resumption of competition soon.”
“This was not an easy decision for the PacWest Executive Board,” said Chaminade Director of Athletics Dr. Tom Buning. “However, the main concern was keeping our student-athletes safe with so much uncertainty that COVID-19 has created. While we are saddened that we can’t see our fall sport student-athletes suit up, we look forward to having them return to competition in the new year.
“With the decision to delay fall sports, our student-athletes have the chance to ensure a strong start to the academic year,” he continued. “I share our coaches’ optimism that this is a unique occasion to emphasize strength and conditioning, individual and team skills, and building team camaraderie. To ensure that we provide the best possible experience for our Silversword student-athletes, we can tailor our preseason preparation to ensure that our teams are exceptionally prepared to compete when their season starts.” 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.
