General | 8/14/2020 11:15:00 AM

August 14, 2020-The MIAA CEO Council has announced All MIAA fall sport competitions will be suspended until January 1, 2021. For Emporia State this impacts the sports of football, soccer, volleyball, cross country and tennis. The Association will delay a decision on the winter sports competition schedule until October 1 at the latest. 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.
 
"Today is hardest on our players," said Emporia State football coach Garin Higgins. "We want to thank all of them for being first class through uncertain times, huge challenges, testing, and regulations. Their dedication never wavered and have gone way above and beyond and makes me proud to be their coach."

This is 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 Re-socialization of Collegiate Sport. The MIAA 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 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 MIAA is still evaluating how those athletically related activities will be conducted and when they may start.
 
"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.
 
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