Chapman University cancels fall sports including football; others may be held if conditions allow

Chapman University officials announced on Friday morning that football, men’s water polo, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball are cancelled through the end of fall 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The sports were described as “high impact sports.”

School officials, the SCIAC and the NCAA are looking at possibilities for these sports to have competition during the spring semester, a release from the athletic department said.

School officials will explore options for moving football to the spring with the SCIAC and the NCAA but “nothing has been decided or outlined for a move like that,” according to Steven Olveda, Chapman University sports information director.

Low to medium impact sports, which include men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s golf, may be allowed to compete in conference-only competitions during the fall 2020 semester, officials said.

“Chapman University Athletics has worked closely with the University and the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) to prioritize a safe reopening of athletics in the Fall 2020 semester with the health and safety of the Chapman community at the forefront of every conversations,” according to a release.

Officials said that the SCIAC in an announcement Friday said that “In accordance with public health guidance and safety standards, as well as NCAA Resocialization recommendations, the SCIAC Presidents have unanimously agreed to cancel conference competition for NCAA categorized high-contact risk sports in the fall semester. The following sports are included in this decision: men’s and women’s soccer, men’s water polo, football, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball.

“If state regulations allow for the resumption of residential living opportunities for conference competition in low and medium contact risk sports will be considered for the fall. These sports include men’s and women’s cross country, tennis, golf and swimming and diving. Discussions and decisions related to winter and spring sport competition will continue to take place throughout the fall semester.”

“Last week, California Governor Gav. Newsom announced requirements for public schools that outline a return to in-person instruction can only take place if the county they reside in is off the State’s county monitoring list for more than 14 consecutive days. Orange County is currently on this list and there is no indication that the guidance for higher education will be any less restrictive. With only six weeks until the start of the traditional semester and some programs starting sooner, the University must prepare for the possibility that we may have to start remotely, while also being ready for a shift to in-person instruction as soon as feasible.

“As soon as Chapman University safely reopens and students return to their on- or off-campus housing, Chapman’s coaches for all sports will be available for Chapman student-athletes in a limited meeting capacity. Certain athletic facilities will be available for use in accordance with the NCAA Resocialization Guidelines as well as guidance from local health officials.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com