LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Due to the concerns arising from all the challenges surrounding COVID-19, the PacWest Executive Board voted unanimously Thursday to postpone intercollegiate competition in PacWest fall sports until after January 1, 2021.
PacWest fall sports include men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, and women's volleyball. The action was taken due to rapidly changing information and guidelines from the NCAA, as well as the states, counties, and areas where the 11 PacWest institutions compete.
"We continue to be committed to the health and safety of all members of the Biola community," said Dr. Bethany Miller, senior director of athletics. "This decision was made following careful consideration of several different options for fall sports. We are glad to be able to still have a competitive season for our fall sport student-athletes, albeit at a later date."
While this decision postpones fall 2020 sports competition, institutions will still be allowed to conduct organized team activities at their own discretion, including workouts, practices, strength and conditioning, and access to their athletic training staff, as local, county, and state guidelines permit. Options for moving fall sport schedules into the sinter/spring are being developed and reviewed.
"The health and safety of our student-athletes is our top priority. We remain committed to giving all of our student-athletes a positive competitive experience as much as possible," PacWest Commissioner Bob Hogue said. "This was a very difficult, but well-thought-out decision and one that so many individuals worked together on over the past several weeks. We're appreciative of everyone's efforts and look forward to a time when we can all be safely out on the field of play again."
A decision on the start of the 2020-21 winter sports season, as well as the non-championship segments of spring sports, is expected to be made by October 1.
Biola Athletics will host a virtual town hall with President Barry Corey, Vice President of Student Development Dr. Andre Stephens, Senior Director of Athletics Dr. Bethany Miller and the rest of the Athletics Leadership Team for student-athletes, families and supporters on our YouTube channel at 6 p.m. August 5. All student-athletes will receive communication with more information on the town hall and a link to a survey to submit questions prior to the livestream for our panel to answer live.
As more information becomes available it will be communicated as quickly as possible.
For updates from the university, please monitor the Biola Coronavirus Response Webpage.
