NCAA sets rules for fall sports
Divisions II and III decide to cancel fall championships
Respective division classifications in college athletics now know how and when to determine whether to play sports in the fall.
The NCAA on Wednesday r el eased a set of requirements for all schools wishing to complete fall sports competition. Although the NCAA left the decision on whether to hold fall sports up to individual divisions, it said divisions must determine the status of fall championships by Aug. 21.
“The board expressed serious concerns about the continuing high levels of C OVID -19 infection in many parts of the nation,” the NCAA statement read .“The board has determined that it will only support moving forward with fall championships and other postseason play if strict conditions are applied and adhered to.”
Two of the requirements involve protecting players who choose to opt out. First, the school is required to honor the scholarship of any athlete who opts out, and each division must decide by Aug. 14 how opting out or having a season cut short would affect eligibility, and inform players of that decision. The former was already a requirement in many Power Five conferences, including the SEC and Big Ten.
Other regulations deal with coronavirus safety protocol. One such protocol prevents schools from requiring athletes to sign COVID-19 liability waivers, while another requires member schools to cover all C OVID-19-related medical costs for athletes. Both these requirements were among a list of demands made by Big Ten players in order to return to play.
The last set of regulations dealt with the logistics of hosting championships. The NCAA also loosened restrictions on how championships could be held, allowing for divisions to have championships with a smaller number of competitors, reduced bracketing, predetermined hosts and neutral sites.
Another requirement stated that all championships must have enhanced safety protocols, and any division where more than 50% of members cancel fall competition in a sport will not have a championship in that division.
“First and foremost, we need to make sure we provide a safe environment for college athletes to compete for an opportunity to play in NCAA championships,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in the statement. “A decision based on the realities in each division will provide clarity for conferences and campuses as they determine how to safely begin the academic year and the return to sports.”
The regulation doesn't currently affect Division I; however ,29 of 43 Division III conferences decided against playing some or all fall sports. The NCAA announced Wednesday the cancellation of all Division III fall championships. Moving competition to the spring was considered but was ultimately tabled.
Hours later, Division II presidents also canceled all fall championships, saying holding them was “not a viable or fiscally responsible option.”