The Ohio Valley Conference Board of Presidents announced Friday fall sports competition and championships will be postponed due to COVID-19 concerns and uncertainty.
The decision affects sports including football, men's and women's cross country, women's soccer, women's volleyball, the fall schedules for men's and women's golf, and the fall schedules for men's and women's tennis. The conference board has also asked conference membership including Murray State University to create plans for competition schedules and championships for impacted sports in the spring semester.
"While we understand there are many student-athletes, families, and communities that are disappointed by the lack of Conference competition this fall, and we deeply share that disappointment; it is the OVC's ardent intention to ensure seasons postponed are not seasons canceled if the facts support it,” said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche in a statement.
A press release from Murray State University Athletics states the OVC is allowing football-playing institutions to schedule up to four non-conference games if the team demonstrates a willingness to play and compete based on the NCAA’s Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: Developing Standards for Practice and Competition, and the NCAA's mental health guidance.
"While disappointing globally for our industry, regionally for our league and locally for Murray State University, today's decision reflects our steadfast commitment to student-athlete safety and well-being. For our department, in coordination with the NCAA & OVC, our work continues,” said Murray State Athletic Director Kevin Saal in a statement. “Student-athletes will advance their development while our coaches, staff and administration work diligently to support and lead those efforts. On behalf of our department, thank you to those who generously support our programs and the young people who develop within them.”
The conference board’s decision does not affect schedules for fall or winter sports.
