HUSKIES WILL SIT AUTUMN OUT
University team sports cancelled
That big, inflatable dog has been deflated until 2021.
University of Saskatchewan Huskies sports teams — football, men’s and women’s soccer, basketball, hockey and volleyball squads — will not play any games this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are not alone.
The Huskies are joined by all Canada West conference teams — as well as those belonging to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conferences under Canada’s U Sports umbrella — in cancelling team sports for the first term of the upcoming 2020-21 school calendar.
Dave Hardy, the Huskies’ chief athletics officer, had to break the disappointing news to his coaches, who, in turn, had to relay the information to players and support staff.
“It’s kind of not what I signed up for — It was a difficult day,” admitted Hardy, who is entering only his second year at the helm. “I know we had seen it coming but I know how passionate our coaches are and how optimistic and how hopeful they were that the season would be played, despite what was happening around us, that somehow we’d find a way to make the season go forward.
“And that just didn’t happen.” While it was a difficult decision, it was the only choice possible when considering the health and safety of student-athletes, fans and the greater community across the nation, he said.
“This isn’t a Usask decision; this isn’t a Canwest decision — it’s really a Sports decision that involved the 56 member schools across the country.
“It was a decision that wasn’t taken lightly, that’s for sure.”
He added that Huskie Athletics, as a whole, will continue to support the student-athletes who are affected, away from the playing fields, courts and arenas.
Hardy also stressed that financial concerns never entered the equation when discussing returnto-play during COVID-19 times.
“The cost of running an athletic program, despite the fact there’d be some challenges, didn’t factor into the decision,” he said.
“It really came down to the health and safety of student athletes and the university and community population.
“How do you compete in a physical-distancing situation? That was really the crux of the situation. And all those other things — like one (athlete) to a hotel room, travelling (no more than) 15 on a bus — never really entered into the decision.”
This fall will mark the first time Huskie football won’t be played since the program restarted in 1959.
Even though he had a feeling that cancelling the season was a real possibility, Huskies head coach Scott Flory said he was still left in shock when reality hit home on Monday.
“Regardless of where anybody kind of thought it was going, ... you listen to the health professionals and follow all the protocols and then keeping that hope, or instilling that hope, today was a difficult morning to hear the news,” Flory said.
“For me, all my immediate thoughts went to all the players — really, that’s just it — all the student-athletes whose heart-andsoul passion through their sport, to not have that ability to compete and fulfil that passion, or scratch that itch, or whatever analogy that you want to use, is really tough.
“My heart just goes out to those guys. It’s not about myself or the coaches, it’s about them, the student-athletes.”
Elsewhere at Nutrien Park, Huskie soccer teams have also been stalled.
“I’m definitely disappointed for all those that are involved — players, alumni, donors,” said Bryce Chapman, head coach of the U of S men’s soccer team. “We were trying to find some optimism and hoping the decision would be closer to season and delayed as long as possible. It’s tough to see a June 5 decision like that through this whole process.
“Right now, for me personally, our top priority is making sure I’m taking care of the 24-25 players that we currently have and the guys who were intending to come in the fall for their first year. We want to make sure we take care of them and make sure they have all the resources to navigate through this surprise, and unfortunate time.”
The CW board’s recommendation came after extensive work by a COVID -19 task force that included CW board members as well as medical professionals.
The decision falls in line with both federal and provincial health directives.
Hardy added that it was important to make this decision now to give Huskie student-athletes a bit of certainty, and some clarity, as they begin to plan for the fall, including whether they plan to relocate based on the delivery model of their respective colleges.
A decision on first-semester individual sports — including cross-country at the U of S — will be made no later than July 15, following further consultation.
For sports that span across both first and second terms — including basketball, hockey, track and field, volleyball and wrestling for Huskie Athletics — a decision will be made no later than Oct. 8, during the Canada West fall meetings, with those sports starting no sooner than January 2021.
In the meantime, Huskie teams now will explore more immediate training options under the Reopen Saskatchewan plan.
“We’re working on that right now,” Hardy said.
Student-athletes in sports without U Sports national championships this season will not be charged eligibility and will remain eligible for athletic financial aid or scholarships.
Season ticket holders who had reserved seats in any of Saskatoon’s venues for 2019-20 will continue to have those same seats held and reserved for them for the 2021-22 season.
“While disappointing for Huskie athletes, coaches and fans, this is a necessary measure made by Canada West to ensure the health and safety of the campus community and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Debra Pozega Osburn, vice-president, university relations and Huskies board of trustees member, said in a release.
“Our student-athletes are wonderful ambassadors for the university, and they will continue to receive the supports necessary for their success even without the fall season, including physiotherapy, nutrition, strength and conditioning, mental health supports, academic and coaching supports, and access to training facilities in accordance with provincial health guidelines.
“We continue to prepare for the return of sports and look forward to welcoming our Huskie supporters back once federal and provincial health directives allow us to host spectator events again.”
My immediate thoughts went to all the players — really, that’s just it ... My heart just goes out to those guys.