KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA CEO Council has announced emergency action for the Association and its member institutions in regard to the 2020-21 athletic seasons and campus sport activities. The emergency action comes as a result of the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic, the NCAA announcement to cancel Fall National Championships, and the recently released NCAA Board of Governors' directives regarding the Resocialization of Collegiate Sport.
"We're obviously disappointed for our student-athletes, our coaches, our fans and our Washburn and Topeka communities," Athletic Director Loren Ferré said. "Putting the safety first for each of these groups was an extremely important factor in the decision that was made. Our student-athletes deserve a championship experience and with NCAA fall championships being canceled, it certainly played a part in this decision. Ichabod student-athletes are resilient and they have worked hard this summer under the guidelines set forth by local government and the NCAA. Washburn's commitment to our student-athletes to help them navigate through this time is of utmost importance and working together we will do everything in our power to get to the other side of this challenging time."
"Certainly, many of us are disappointed the fall sports season has been suspended," Dr. Jerry Farley, Washburn President said. "I am disappointed for our athletes and fans. The pandemic has impacted so many of our lives and activities. Athletics have been a wonderful aspect of the college experience. But the health and safety of our student athletes and of our coaches has to be our primary goal. We hope that the situation will improve and we may be able to evaluate other options for winter and spring sports."
Release from the MIAA
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 14, 2020) - The MIAA CEO Council has announced emergency action for the Association and its member institutions in regard to the 2020-2021 athletic seasons and campus sport activities. The emergency action comes as a result of the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic, the NCAA announcement to cancel Fall National Championships, and the recently released NCAA Board of Governors' directives regarding the Resocialization of Collegiate Sport.
All MIAA fall sport competitions will be suspended until January 1, 2021. The Association will continue to explore the possibility of a limited number of competitions in football, volleyball, men's soccer, and women's soccer in the spring, as permitted by the NCAA. The Conference office has also canceled the 2020 MIAA Virtual Football Media Day presented by Seigfreid Bingham in light of the suspension of the MIAA football schedule.
"The health and well-being of MIAA student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and our communities continues to be the Association's top priority," stated President Steve Scott of Pittsburg State University, chairperson of the MIAA CEO Council. "The MIAA is taking these important actions today to help our athletic departments comply with these new NCAA membership requirements, and to assist our campuses as we continue to address this public health crisis."
All NCAA athletically related activities (in all MIAA sports), including in-season practices, out-of-season practices, weight training, team athletically related meetings, and voluntary workouts directed by staff or in institutional facilities shall be permitted this fall based on each institution's ability to comply with the August 11th NCAA Policy Clarifications document regarding the requirements for each division to conduct fall sports (non-competition) activities.
The Association will delay a decision on the winter sports competition schedule until October 1 at the latest.
"The MIAA CEO Council will continue to monitor this fluid and evolving situation for college athletics, and make necessary changes to this plan per updated NCAA guidance and restrictions," added MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy.
MIAA leadership at member institutions will continue to work together and seek guidance from the NCAA on the NCAA Board of Governors' directives and the Resocialization of Collegiate Sport Guidelines. The Association will continue to place the health, safety, and well-being of MIAA student-athletes, coaches, and administrators as its top priority.
