Pac-12 won't play any sports - including basketball - until 2021

by:Mrs. Tyler Thompson08/11/20

@MrsTylerKSR

Kentucky is scheduled to play UCLA on December 19 in the CBS Sports Classic. That is no longer the case.

Not only is the Pac-12 postponing football to the spring, the conference just announced it will not play ANY sports through the end of 2020, including basketball. It is the first Power 5 conference to make a decision impacting winter sports.

From the press release:

“All of the Pac-12 presidents and chancellors understand the importance of this decision, and the disappointment it will create for our student-athletes, the coaches, support staff and all of our fans,” said Michael H. Schill, president of the University of Oregon. “Ultimately, our decision was guided by science and a deep commitment to the health and welfare of student-athletes. We certainly hope that the Pac-12 will be able to return to competition in the New Year.”

“The health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports has been our number one priority since the start of this current crisis,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott.  “Our student-athletes, fans, staff and all those who love college sports would like to have seen the season played this calendar year as originally planned, and we know how disappointing this is.”

Unlike professional sports, college sports cannot operate in a bubble,” Scott continued. “Our athletic programs are a part of broader campuses in communities where in many cases the prevalence of COVID-19 is significant.  We will continue to monitor the situation and when conditions change we will be ready to explore all options to play the impacted sports in the new calendar year.”

“We know that this is a difficult day for our student-athletes, and our hearts go out to them and their families,” added Scott.  “We have made clear that all of their scholarships will be guaranteed, and that as a Conference we are strongly encouraging the NCAA to grant them an additional year of eligibility.”

So much for the Johnny Juzang game.

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2024-03-28