DENVER - Following a meeting of its Board of Directors on Wednesday, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) has announced it will suspend all fall 2020 championship and non-championship athletics competition through the end of the calendar year. The fall conference championship sports affected are men's and women's cross country, volleyball and men's and women's soccer.

"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 Board Chair, Fr. Stephen Sundborg, S.J. 

For NM State, the decision means there will be no 2020 fall seasons for its men's and women's cross country, women's soccer or volleyball teams. Additionally, NM State's baseball, men's golf, men's tennis, softball women's golf and women's tennis teams will not be allowed to play the non-traditional fall portions of their respective schedules. 

"This decision was not made lightly," said NMSU President John Floros. "It was particularly hard for many of us who like college sports, and want to see our Aggies play. But by putting the safety, health and well-being of our student-athletes, our coaches and our staff fist, it became an easy decision to make."

"While we are disappointed our volleyball, soccer and cross country student-athletes will be unable to compete in their respective sports this fall, we understand the reasons why," said NM State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia. "The health and well-being of our student-athletes - both at NM State and in the WAC – has always been our top priority. We anticipate these programs will be able to compete in the spring for WAC championships and NCAA bids and will continue preparing for when we are allowed to resume competition."

With is decision, the WAC became one of 17 NCAA Division I conferences from around the nation out of a total of 32 who have announced the postponement of their respective fall sports seasons. Other leagues and conferences who have made similar decisions include the Atlantic 10, Big East, Big West, Big Ten, Pac-12, Ivy League and the Mountain West.

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.

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. 

Under current NCAA guidelines, If 50% or more of eligible teams in a particular sport in a division cancel their fall seasons, there will be no fall NCAA championship in that sport in that division.

++NM State++