Southland Cancels Remaining Spring Sports Competitions/Championships
3/14/2020 10:59:00 AM | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Tennis, Track & Field, Beach Volleyball
FRISCO, Texas – The Southland Conference announced Saturday that the league will cancel all remaining spring sports competitions and championship events, effective immediately. The decision was reached by the Conference's presidential Board of Directors, in consultation with campus athletic directors, in full consideration of the health, safety and well-being of the league's student-athletes, coaches, administrators, support personnel and fans on the league's 13 campuses. Southland members have been monitoring national, regional and local developments related to the worldwide COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, and its impact on U.S. professional and collegiate sports, including Thursday's announcement that NCAA Championship events will be canceled through the spring.
STATEMENT FROM SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER TOM BURNETT:
"It is with great sadness that we've come to this conclusion regarding the remainder of the Southland Conference's spring sports season. To adversely impact the student-athlete experience by removing competitive opportunities is not what we're about, and is not who we are. This is not what we would have ever wanted or ever imagined. However, in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Conference membership is taking precautionary steps to best protect the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and others in our campus communities. We are also going to be very active in ensuring our spring sports student-athletes are given applicable relief by the NCAA for the use of an additional season of competition in 2020-21, and we look forward to initiating that process as soon as possible. We believe these measures taken by the Southland membership provide our student-athletes with the continued academic support and other team structures that have traditionally been beneficial for our athletic programs."
The Southland had previously announced the cancellation of all competitions through March 30, including its Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments this week. Now, in addition to the new competition and championship changes, athletic departments have also agreed to prohibit all team activities, organized or voluntary, through March 30. Beyond that date, campus leaders will make determinations on other immediate and longer-term issues, such as team practice opportunities and other activities. Athletic departments and Conference office staff will address future NCAA eligibility issues for current spring sports student-athletes, and other matters of importance to the membership. Further, as with any legislative action, the Conference's Board of Directors reserves the right to reconsider previous decisions.
The Southland's spring sports offerings include baseball, softball, beach volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's outdoor track and field. The Southland Bowling League Championship, scheduled for March 19-22, has also been canceled.
STATEMENT FROM SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER TOM BURNETT:
"It is with great sadness that we've come to this conclusion regarding the remainder of the Southland Conference's spring sports season. To adversely impact the student-athlete experience by removing competitive opportunities is not what we're about, and is not who we are. This is not what we would have ever wanted or ever imagined. However, in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Conference membership is taking precautionary steps to best protect the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and others in our campus communities. We are also going to be very active in ensuring our spring sports student-athletes are given applicable relief by the NCAA for the use of an additional season of competition in 2020-21, and we look forward to initiating that process as soon as possible. We believe these measures taken by the Southland membership provide our student-athletes with the continued academic support and other team structures that have traditionally been beneficial for our athletic programs."
The Southland had previously announced the cancellation of all competitions through March 30, including its Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments this week. Now, in addition to the new competition and championship changes, athletic departments have also agreed to prohibit all team activities, organized or voluntary, through March 30. Beyond that date, campus leaders will make determinations on other immediate and longer-term issues, such as team practice opportunities and other activities. Athletic departments and Conference office staff will address future NCAA eligibility issues for current spring sports student-athletes, and other matters of importance to the membership. Further, as with any legislative action, the Conference's Board of Directors reserves the right to reconsider previous decisions.
The Southland's spring sports offerings include baseball, softball, beach volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's outdoor track and field. The Southland Bowling League Championship, scheduled for March 19-22, has also been canceled.
ACU Press Conference: Abilene Flying Bison to Play at ACU in 2026
Tuesday, April 07
ACU Baseball: Rick McCarty Press Conference | April 6, 2026
Monday, April 06
ACU Softball: Jo Koons Press Conference | April 6, 2026
Monday, April 06
ACU Baseball: Rick McCarty Press Conference | March 31, 2026
Tuesday, March 31
