CCAA SHUTS DOWN ALL SPORTS FOR SCHOOL YEAR
Jennifer Milo wasn’t really surprised by the news, but the Cal State San Marcos athletic director certainly was hurt and disappointed Wednesday when the conference in which the Cougars play announced it would forgo formalized schedules and championships for all sports in this academic year.
“This is painful,” Milo said. “With everything that’s going on, I’m not necessarily surprised. Still, it hits us hard. It’s disappointing.
“That being said, we know the decision was made with the health and safety of everyone involved (in mind).”
The California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) announced the Board of Presidents, in conjunction with conference and institution athletics administrators, made the decision in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It said the “CCAA has been exhaustive in exploring multiple return-to-play models that keep health and safety at the forefront.”
“I know this decision is extremely disappointing for our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans,” said CCAA Commissioner Mitch Cox . “But from the day this pandemic took effect, every decision we made going forward has been focused on the health and safety of everyone involved. We remain committed to providing as many meaningful engagement opportunities for all of our studentathletes, coaches and staff throughout the rest of the 2020-21 academic year.”
The CCAA is a 12-member, 13sport NCAA Division II conference with teams stretched from Cal State San Marcos in the south to Humboldt State in the north.
Cal State San Marcos competes in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s track, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf, softball and women’s volleyball.
The decision to halt play means the spring sports — baseball, softball, golf and track — will go nearly two seasons without competing.
“That’s the hard part,” Milo said. “Those athletes will go a year and a half without playing. It’s hard to face them.”
The NCAA has awarded a blanket eligibility waiver to all CCAA athletes, but Milo said the seniors will have a decision to make.
“Yes, all eligibility is preserved, and the seniors can come back as graduate students,” Milo said. “But we don’t award full scholarships, so there are financial decisions to be made.
“Does it make sense financially for that athlete to come back and play?”
Humboldt State pushed for some leeway in scheduling, leaving the door open for some games outside the conference. But Cal State San Marcos won’t take advantage of the loophole.
“We won’t play this spring,” said Cougars baseball coach Matt Guiliano, whose team played 22 games last spring before the season was shut down March 8. “It’s just not safe. I know our administrators are looking out for us. I get it. That doesn’t mean I like it, but I’m on board with the decision.
“I feel for my guys. College is a time to bond, build friendships that last for life, interact with people. Now we’re doing everything on Zoom.”
Adam Lovato, the Western League Player of the Year and an All-CIF baseball player at Madison High in 2018, was a freshman infielder at Cal State San Marcos last season.
He’s disappointed, but realistic. “This decision is sad, but it’s necessary,” Lovato said. “It’s better for us to be safe than out there playing.”