Portland, Ore. | The Cascade Conference announced today the decision to delay fall sports to the winter/spring of 2021. This move is motivated by the paramount importance of the health and safety of athletes and coaches, and the importance of re-launching the academic year successfully in the midst of COVID-19. Warner Pacific University fully supports the decision made by the CCC Council of Presidents on Friday morning. In addition to the delay, the CoP also voted that intercollegiate competition for all CCC sports is to be suspended until at least November 1st, at which time they will reevaluate.
The Warner Pacific University programs directly impacted by the decision are men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball.
“As our student-athletes’ health and safety is our top priority, this difficult decision to delay fall sports at Warner Pacific, accompanies our commitment to creating first-class experiences for all of our student-athletes, coaches and support staff,” stated Director of Athletics Mike Wilson. “Warner Pacific University and its athletic department stands by and with our athletes, making ourselves available to support and guide them through these challenging times together.”
The announcement made by the conference emphasized that each CCC school “will have the autonomy to conduct practices, weight training, conditioning and other team activities in accordance with campus, local and state policies, as well as, the NAIA approved 24-week period.”
In regard to championship seasons, the CCC statement mentions that the NAIA has yet to make the decision to move fall sport championships to the spring, but if they were to, “the CCC will have the ability to reengage with the NAIA revised structure and will adjust schedules accordingly.”
At this time, there has been no decision regarding the delay of winter sports. The university and the CCC will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and make the proper adjustments if needed.
You can find the conference’s official release HERE.