Moon Township, Pa. – Guided by its core value of student-athlete well-being and considering further developments in the outbreak of COVID-19, the Horizon League Board of Directors, acting on a recommendation from the League's Council, has decided to postpone fall competition for the fall season.
This decision impacts all Horizon League sports that compete in the fall both for their championship season (men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, volleyball) and for its non-championship segment (men's and women's golf, baseball, softball, men's and women's tennis).
A decision on whether fall sport competition can take place in the spring will be determined by the Board and Council at a later date. Individual institutions will make decisions regarding training, practice and recruiting in accordance with NCAA regulations, state and institutional guidelines.
"Today's announcement by the Horizon League Board of Directors to postpone fall sports provides RMU and our conference members with additional time to determine the best, and safest, course of action moving forward," RMU Vice President and Director of Athletics
Chris King said. "The Horizon League Board of Directors made this extremely difficult decision after extensive meetings, discussions on numerous scenarios and the consideration of many factors."
The voting members of the Horizon League Board of Directors are comprised of the 12 member institutions' chief executive officers. The Council consists of the 12 member institutions' athletic directors, chairpersons of the Senior Woman's Administrator and Faculty Athletic Representatives and a student-athlete.
"With the excitement of playing as a new first-year member of the Horizon League, we recognize how meaningful this opportunity was for our student-athletes, coaches and staff in competing for a championship in our new conference," King said. "We also recognize that our student-athletes and coaches will be disappointed, but our highest priority has been, and will continue to be, the health and safety of those involved in our athletics program. Our entire department has been dedicated throughout the summer to keep our student-athletes, coaches and staff safe as they returned to campus for workouts and practice."
The decision to participate in intercollegiate athletics for the winter sports will be made at an appropriate time, and will be informed by an evaluation of the state of the coronavirus pandemic.
"RMU Athletics will work directly with our respective conference to re-evaluate fall sports and shift our attention to provide our student-athletes and coaches with a Horizon League championship opportunity," King said.
RMU will continue to adhere to the evolving recommendations and requirements of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local and state health guidelines, the
RMU Ready Plan, RMU Athletics Return to Campus Policy and Procedures, UPMC Sports Medicine guidelines, the NCAA Resocialization of College Sports guidelines and the Horizon League COVID-19 Advisory Panels for all practice and workout activities. RMU will continue to be guided by its top priority, which is the health, safety and well-being of student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Follow The Colonials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat | YouTube
