BIG EAST CONFERENCE DECIDES TO CANCEL FALL SPORTS

Te Big East Conference announced Wednesday that fall sports will not be held in 2020 due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference had scheduled conference-only competition earlier this summer, decided that just wasn't possible after consulting with the Big East COVID-19 Task Force, an advisory group of administrators, doctors, athletic trainers, student-athletes and national experts in global pandemics and infectious diseases.

The Big East said it will look into alternative options to play fall events during the spring of 2021.

"The decision to not hold fall sports competition was not made lightly," said Big East chairman and Villanova president the Reverend Peter M. Donohue in a release. "Athletics play an integral role in the student, alumni and fan experience at each of our institutions, and we were all hoping to allow the fall seasons to move forward. However, given the guidance of the Big East COVID-19 Task Force, this decision, while disappointing, was made with the health and safety of our student-athletes and staff in mind.”

"I fully support the difficult but necessary decision made by the Big East presidents to postpone fall sports competition," UConn athletic director David Benedict said. "We remain committed to providing a world-class academic and athletic experience to all our student-athletes while also ensuring a safe and supportive environment on campus."

UConn returned to the Big East this summer.