NCAA cancels championships for cross country, soccer, volleyball

Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey will be looking into the impact the NCAA’S decision to cancel championships for the sports of soccer, volleyball and cross country this fall will have on his teams.

The NCAA announced its decision on Thursday afternoon pointing to the fact that the participation in those sports had dipped below 50 percent of eligible Division I teams. The decision does not include football at this time.

Sankey issued a statement Thursday night supporting those sports in his league and the preparation it has been making for the season.

“Our soccer, volleyball and cross-country studentathletes are working hard to prepare for their seasons and they have been diligent in taking personal health precautions and following protocols around COVID-19,” Sankey said. “We will support them in every way possible as we evaluate the impact of these cancellations on their fall sports seasons.”

The NCAA also determined that “if fall sports championships are postponed in any division, a decision to conduct that championship at a later date will be based upon the scientific data available at that time regarding COVID-19, along with other considerations” according to an August 5 announcement. That discussion is expected to take place at the next meeting of the NCAA Board of Directors.

Two years ago the Mississippi State soccer team hosted the NCAA Championships first round and lost to Lipscomb 1-0 in two overtimes.