No sports will take place at Bowling Green State University, or other Mid-American Conference schools, this fall. BGSU President Rodney Rogers announced the decision in a letter to the campus community Saturday afternoon.
He said that earlier in the day the Mid-American Conference Council of Presidents met to discuss how sports could be presented given the concerns about COVID-19. The decision to scratch the season was made then.
“Bowling Green State University supports the difficult decision to postpone all MAC fall sport seasons to spring 2021 in the best interests of health and safety,” Rogers wrote in the letter.
The sports affected are: football, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball.
“While we know that our campuses will look and feel differently this fall, it is not lost on us the role intercollegiate athletics plays in higher education,” he continued. “However, unlike our academic and campus experiences, athletic competition rarely allows for physical distancing and additional safeguards such as wearing face coverings. We also have a responsibility to provide our student-athletes an experience that allows them to compete at the highest level, in the safest environment possible.”
The decision does not impact winter sports including the WCHA hockey schedule.
Rogers expressed sympathy for the student-athletes, coaches, and staff “who give so much of their time and talent to the sport and University they love.” Rogers stated the university will remain “flexible and adaptable” as it has on other occasions during the pandemic.
“BGSU Athletics will work with each student-athlete impacted as we navigate the COVID-19 crisis together.”
Those involved will remain “ambassadors” for BGSU, he wrote.
The MAC Council of Presidents directed Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher to begin planning for the 2021 spring semester.
