Dear Colleagues:
It is with great disappointment that I write to you to share another COVID-19-related
decision that will impact our fall semester. As the release below explains, the Big
South Conference has made the decision to delay fall sports with the hope of those
teams entering competition in the spring. We feel for our student-athletes who have
worked extremely hard to reach the NCAA Division I level of competition. Their disappointment
with this decision will be great. The good news for these students is that all scholarships
will be honored. We look forward to a time in the future when our teams can safely
compete without the risks of COVID-19 potentially impacting their health.
Sincerely,
George
George W. Hynd
Interim President
Winthrop Reacts to BSC Decision to Delay Fall Sports
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.
