Statement from Adams State University RMAC Decision to Postpone Conference Schedules and Championships for Fall Sports
Adams State Athletics supports the difficult decision made by the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Presidents’ Council to postpone conference schedules and championships for fall sports. This decision includes postponing Football, Volleyball, Women’s Soccer, and Men’s Soccer until the spring semester. Men’s and Women’s Cross Country will be allowed to compete as originally scheduled.
The Adams State Athletic Staff has worked diligently to provide an environment focused on health and safety for our student-athletes, staff, the campus and surrounding community. As we move forward, continued focus will be placed on providing the best experience for our Grizzly student-athletes.
We also want to emphasize practice and continued workout opportunities will be available, as per NCAA rules, for those sports affected by this decision. It is important to note eligibility-related flexibility will be given to those student-athletes affected to allow championship opportunities in the future. Students with questions regarding eligibility, scholarships, and academics should contact their specific sport coach.
“The decision was not easily made,” said Adams State President Cheryl D. Lovell, who is a member of the RMAC Presidents’ Council. “We all want the best for our student-athletes and encourage their academic and sport endeavors. Our institutional support to postpone the noted fall sports reflects our commitment to the health and safety of all students, staff and faculty at Adams State. We are a proud Grizzly Nation and we look forward to resuming fall sports competitions in the spring.”
Official RMAC Statement
In a meeting Thursday, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Presidents’ Council postponed conference schedules and championships for fall sports (Football, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Soccer, Volleyball) to the spring semester except for cross country, which shall compete as originally scheduled. Additionally, the Council agreed that men’s and women’s golf could continue its non-championship segment competition this fall.
After considerable deliberation, the Council’s decision was made based on the recent National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Board of Governors’ mandate of the NCAA Resocialization principles and the Division II Presidents Council decision to cancel fall championships. The RMAC decision allows league members further opportunity to align with the student-athlete safety measures outlined in the NCAA document to prepare for competition.
The determination on sport status was made based on the NCAA risk rankings of sport. As it stands currently with NCAA guidance, cross country and golf are lower risk than all other fall sports. Further details on the structure and scope of the spring semester practice and competition schedules for postponed sports will be released in the coming weeks.
Practice opportunities will be available in the fall semester for fall sport student-athletes per Division II rules and at the discretion of each RMAC member institution. As has been the case throughout the past five months, the RMAC will continue to monitor local and national developments regarding health and safety, along with association guidance to make any necessary adjustments moving forward.
Member representatives and conference officials understand the significant impact these decisions have on our student-athletes and stand ready to provide support and guidance in any way possible. Questions related to eligibility, scholarships and academics should be directed to member institutions as always.
