Name change remains polarizing
Big East scraps nonconference confrontations for four sports
Marquette’s move away from Warriors name, imagery remains controversial 26 years later.
The Big East and Horizon League both announced scheduling changes Thursday affecting fall sports during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Big East, which includes Marquette, has eliminated all nonconference competitions for soccer, volleyball, cross country and field hockey, but has not made any decision regarding league contests and tournaments, it said in an announcement.
Meanwhile, the Horizon League, whose 12 member schools include UW-Milwaukee, has delayed the start of fall sports competition until at least Oct. 1, the conference announced, to give schools time to focus on a safe return to competition.
Marquette women's volleyball and UWM women's soccer are the most prominent programs affected by the decisions.
Marquette has been to the NCAA tournament nine straight years. Last season the Golden Eagles finished second in the Big East and advanced to the NCAA's second round.
UWM has won five consecutive Horizon League women's soccer titles and has gone to the NCAA tournament the past two seasons.
The Horizon League-wide delay affects games and meets but not necessarily training. Decisions related to practice will be left to the individual schools, as will potential rescheduling of non-conference events.
The Horizon League Council, which includes the 12 institutions' athletic directors as well as faculty and athlete representation, will monitor developments and evaluate possible further changes, the conference said in its announcement.
Both conferences cited the safety and well-being of participants.