Lone Star Conference Announces Decision on Fall Sports

SAN ANGELO, TX – The Lone Star Conference Council of Presidents postponed all competition in the sports of football, soccer, volleyball and basketball to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic during a meeting on Friday morning.

Cross country will compete in the fall as scheduled. Additionally, golf and tennis are permitted to compete in their non-championship segments in the fall.  No other outside competition will be allowed.
 
After extensive discussion, which included a review of the requirements set by the NCAA Board of Governors earlier this week, the council made the difficult decision to postpone due to the challenges of COVID-19.

The decision follows the cancelation of the NCAA Division II Fall 2020 Championships by the DII Presidents Council on Wednesday (Aug. 5).

Football, soccer, volleyball and basketball, which are classified as high contact risk sports by the NCAA resocialization principles, can practice during the fall under all applicable NCAA Division II rules, but not compete until the spring.

Practices in all sports remain delayed until no earlier than August 24.  Further, competition in cross country, golf and tennis, which are classified by the NCAA as low and medium contact risk sports, may not start prior to the week of September 21.

The league continues to monitor updated public health information and evaluate medical safeguards and certifications to ensure safe competition.  The health and well-being of student-athletes will remain top priority in all conference decisions.

Angelo State University released a statement later that day stating:

"Although we understand the LSC Council of Presidents vote earlier today to postpone fall sports competition in football, soccer, and volleyball, it is still disappointing to us here at Angelo State University.  We know that it was not an easy decision and trust that it was made after diligent deliberation by campus administrators. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff felt very confident in our ability to conduct practices and competitions while keeping all parties safe during the fall.  However, we are still extremely excited about our students and student-athletes arriving next week for fall classes and getting them engaged on our campus.  On August 24th, we have the ability to begin fall practices for all of our sports and plan to do just that in preparation for championships which will now be in the spring of 2021."