The Southland Conference Board of Directors has voted to postpone fall sports.
According to a news release:
The Southland Conference Board of Directors determined that league competition in the sports of football, volleyball, women’s soccer and cross country will be postponed from the fall semester with an intent to explore conference competition in the spring semester. Meeting frequently in recent weeks, including Wednesday afternoon, presidents of the 13 Southland members also authorized planning for spring semester championship events for volleyball, soccer and cross country.
Institutions may choose to participate in limited fall competition.
“After thoughtful consideration, the Southland Conference Board of Directors reached consensus in postponing league competition for our fall semester sports,” Dr. Houston Davis, Board Chair and President of the University of Central Arkansas, said. “Protecting competitive opportunities in a safe manner for our student-athletes was paramount in the review, and a delay to the spring allows campuses and athletic departments to get a better handle on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The Board concluded that an entire fall sports season is not likely, and that a postponement to spring can provide the important opportunities our teams annually seek,” Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett added. “While disappointed that we won’t be playing these sports in the Southland’s 58th year of fall competition, we look forward to a unique spring season of athletics that also includes NCAA postseason opportunities.”
It is expected that Southland athletic directors will immediately begin work with the Southland staff to determine spring competitive planning and other issues.
The move impacts fall sports at several Texas-based schools, including the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Lamar University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Abilene Christian, Houston Baptist, Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin.