WCC Postpones all Athletic Competitions Until Sept. 24
On Thursday, July 16 the West Coast Conference (WCC) announced that Brigham Young University and all other universities in the conference will be required to post-pone all fall athletic competitions until September 24.
This announcement will affect the following BYU athletic organizations: “men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. Baseball, beach volleyball, men’s and women’s golf, women’s rowing, softball and men’s and women’s tennis, which hold their traditional seasons in the spring, will not participate in a fall competition scheduled prior to Sept. 24.” (WCC)
“The welfare of student-athletes is of primary importance in all decisions” said the WCC in an official statement. “The Conference and its membership understand that providing a safe environment while dealing with this virus has an impact on each of our campus communities as well as our global community.” (WCC)
This decision greatly impacts many athletic organizations on campus. Tom Holmoe, BYU’s Athletic Director described the unique circumstance surrounding fall sports competitions: “As we make plans for our fall athletic seasons, we appreciate the dialogue and attention the WCC has gone through to review the variety of circumstances at member schools and consider the safety of our student-athletes,” Holmoe said. “We are in the process of working on our fall sports schedules given the parameters provided by the WCC and appreciate the flexibility to schedule non-conference competition with other universities.” (BYU)
BYU football – an independent program – will not be hindered by the announcement from the WCC; but, they will need to adjust their schedule as conferences continue to adjust to sports in the midst of the pandemic. The PAC-12and Big Tenhave both announced that they will only play in-conference games in the fall, clearing a total of five weeks of BYU’s football schedule (including the first four). BYU will not play against Utah, Michigan State, Arizona State, Minnesota, or Stanford this fall as a result of conference announcements.
For more updates on fall sports in the West Coast Conference, click here.