Big Sky Conference Postpones All Fall Sports Until Spring Of 2021

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Big Sky Conference announced that all fall sports have been postponed until the spring of 2021.

The conference’s Presidents’ Council met and came to the decision on Wednesday, August 12. The Big Sky’s announcement arrived a week after the President’s Council decided that the conference’s 2020 football schedule would be pushed until spring.

“While I am confident that our conference is making the right decision for the health and safety of our student-athletes, it breaks my heart knowing how disappointing this will be to all of them who were eagerly anticipating the opportunity to compete this fall,” Big Sky commissioner Tom Wistrcill said in a statement on August 13. “Our efforts in the conference office now will focus on doing everything within our power to make their spring season the best that it possibly can be, which includes advocating for their NCAA championships to be held then. As campuses begin re-opening this fall, we hope that everyone remains safe and healthy while we continue to learn more about how best to manage this fluid situation and its impact on higher education.”

Big Sky Postpones All Fall Sports Until Spring 2021https://t.co/emgpUttgtU pic.twitter.com/4LNdzF79NP

— Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) August 13, 2020

Big Sky schools in the state of Utah include Weber State University and Southern Utah University.

The @BigSkyConf has postponed all fall sports until the spring of 2021. https://t.co/e8q5OPf0qH#PurpleReign #WeAreWeber 💔

— Weber State Athletics (@weberstate) August 13, 2020

“Obviously this is not the outcome that we had hoped for and been working towards these last five months. There are many factors that were considered before this decision was made. But first and foremost is the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, and fans,” Southern Utah athletic director Debbie Corum said of the conference’s decision. “My heart hurts for all of T-Bird Nation. But we will work diligently to prepare our student-athletes for the time when, not if, we are able to return to the fields and courts of play. In the meantime, our goal is to make this a semester that provides a unique opportunity for our student-athletes. We will take advantage of this time to create a superb life skills program with the hope that come December, they feel that this was a special time and that SUU is a special place.”

From @DebCorum… #StormTheSky🌩 pic.twitter.com/kBykMaFsZb

— SUU Thunderbirds ⚡️ (@SUUThunderbirds) August 13, 2020

The conference’s decision affects all fall sports programs at both schools including championship seasons and non-championship segments. The following programs are impacted:

• Men’s and women’s cross country (championship season)
• Soccer (championship season)
• Volleyball (championship season)
• Men’s and women’s golf (non-championship segment)
• Softball (non-championship segment)
• Men’s and women’s tennis (non-championship segment)

The conference announced that a decision on winter sports including basketball and indoor track and field would be made a later date.