ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Central Washington University announced that it will suspend all intercollegiate athletics competition through Nov. 30. The decision is the result of today's meeting of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) CEO Board.
Due to continuing health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference's CEO Board, comprised of the presidents of GNAC-affiliated schools, and athletic directors, decided it was best to suspend all conference athletic events and championships scheduled for the fall quarter.
"I'm disappointed, as I know our student-athletes are—especially our seniors—and all members of Wildcat Nation," said CWU President James L. Gaudino. "But the conference is making the appropriate decision to keep the health and safety of everybody foremost. CWU, and all of our conference-member schools, will stay focused on our primary purpose and commitment to assist student-athletes in achieving their goal of earning a meaningful degree from Central."
Prior to the announcement, CWU administrators and coaches conducted a video conference with all of the fall student-athletes.
"Over the past few months our athletics staff has diligently explored a multitude of scenarios and options for a safe return to play, but the challenges became insurmountable as an institution and a conference," said CWU Director of Athletics Dennis Francois. "The enormity of this decision and its impact on our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fans is crushing for all of us, not to mention its impact on our university, the Ellensburg community, and our alumni. I am, however, very encouraged by our conference's commitment to engage in purposeful discussion regarding the feasibility of a 2021 spring championship season for our fall sports."
The following statement was released by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) on Friday, July 17. Story courtesy of Blake Timm, GNAC Media Relations
PORTLAND, Ore. – Citing the health and safety of student-athletes as the overriding concern, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference CEO Board today voted unanimously to suspend all intercollegiate athletics competition through Nov. 30 due to COVID-19.
The CEO Board said it will continue to monitor developments related to the pandemic and make a decision by Oct. 15 regarding the status of competition after Nov. 30.
Today's announcement, which affects all 17 sports sponsored by the GNAC, precludes contests of any kind against outside competition regardless of whether a sport is in the championship or non-championship segment of its playing calendar. Conference members will have institutional autonomy regarding organized practice activities, according to the CEO Board.
"This was not a decision taken lightly but one the Board believes is in the best interests of student-athletes and staff," said
Dave Haglund, GNAC commissioner. "There is no greater priority than the health and well-being of our student-athletes and this action is reflective of the GNAC's commitment to this prevailing principle. We understand that many student-athletes will be disappointed and saddened by this news, particularly our seniors, and we have profound empathy for everyone affected by this decision, including non-conference opponents. We can only ask for their thoughtful understanding during these challenging and unprecedented times."
Haglund said that conference governance groups have already engaged in active discussions for providing meaningful seasons of competition for the conference's fall championship sports, including the feasibility of playing in the spring.
