SLIAC to Cancel Spring Sports Due to COVID-19

The President Council of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) met via teleconference on Monday to develop and formulate a conference-wide action plan and decision concerning the SLIAC spring sports season as it related to the COVID-19 pandemic threat. After considerable discussion, the President's Council of the SLIAC voted to effectively cancel all spring athletic competitions and championships for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. Several various options were discussed during Monday's conference call, however, it was determined the decision to cancel was in the best interests of institutional and student-athlete health and safety. Information and recommendations from national health organizations, as well as the national, regional, and local medical communities, were discussed in the process of making this difficult decision. The SLIAC decision to cancel falls in line with last week's decision by the NCAA to cancel all 2020 spring sports championships. 

The canceling of the remainder of the spring sports seasons and championships impacts the sports of baseball, men's and women's golf, softball, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's outdoor track and field. All results and statistics for teams that have already played competitions this spring will remain and be officially recorded by the NCAA and the SLIAC.

The D-III Management team of the NCAA, during an extensive meeting last week, passed an immediate exemption to allow all 2020 D-III spring sport student-athletes the opportunity for an additional year of eligibility within their respective sport, should they so choose. Additionally, all decisions concerning in-person student-athlete recruitment as well as allowable institutional athletic activities will be determined autonomously by the member institutions within the SLIAC.  

- STORY COURTESY OF SLIAC SPORTS INFORMATION -