Health experts have expressed concerns about the ongoing risk of coronavirus transmission in college sports. Subsequently, the NCAA took action by canceling autumn championship events in sports like soccer and volleyball.
During a video shared on the official NCAA Twitter account, NCAA President Mark Emmert announced the cancellation of autumn championship events for field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s cross country due to insufficient participation from colleges.
Emmert stated, “Regrettably, this will be the situation this fall. Full stop. However, this doesn’t mean that we can’t pivot towards the winter and spring seasons to organize meaningful championships for the students. There are possibilities to make this happen. I am confident that we can find solutions.”
Previously, the NCAA Board of Governors had cautioned that championship events would not proceed if less than 50% of the participating teams were willing to compete in a regular season. Divisions II and III quickly called off their fall championships, while Division I initially hesitated. Even after Division I relented, the Bowl Subdivision of Division I football remained unaffected. Some conferences, such as the Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference, are still planning to hold autumn events.
Emmert’s announcement came after a webinar attended by members of the NCAA’s coronavirus advisory panel and medical department, which was organized by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The meeting highlighted the potential threat of coronavirus transmission to college sports in the United States.
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