ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – With the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches
and athletics staff its highest priority, the Big South Conference announced today the decision of the Council of Chief Executive Officers to delay
the fall sports seasons and to postpone them until the spring, if possible.
For Winthrop the decision impacts men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s
soccer, volleyball, and fall competitions in men’s and women’s golf, in addition to
out-of-season competition in spring sports.
“Marking another difficult decision in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this delay
reflects our commitment to student-athletes and the entire athletics family,” said
Winthrop Interim President George Hynd. “While we know the decision is extremely disappointing for our players, coaches,
staff and supporters, their health and safety is most important as we move into the
fall season. We look forward to the day our outstanding teams can return to competition
without the uncertainties of the pandemic holding sway.”
The Big South Conference joins the Big 10 Conference and Pac 12 Conference in decisions to postpone fall sports this week, along with several other leagues
that have done the same in recent weeks.
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Halpin noted that all scholarships will be honored and coaches and staff stand ready to
assist student-athletes just as they did in spring 2020 when competition was curtailed.
“We are prepared to support them and help them adjust to team and individual expectations
moving forward,” he said.
For more information on the Big South Conference’s decision, see the release.
