Dear Coaches, Staff, Athletes, and Parents,
The University has been continually monitoring the current status of the pandemic and has determined, with great regret, to suspend the 2020 football season. Although this decision was anticipated, I understand that it is still difficult to hear. There was a single driver for making this call, and that is your health and safety.
Last night the Associated Colleges of the South presidents held a meeting and I learned that most of our peer universities have also made the same decision to cancel athletics for the fall. Like us, these universities will move as many as possible to sports to the spring semester so our students can still have a competitive experience.
Southwestern joined Texas Lutheran University in petitioning the American Southwest Conference (ASC) to grant both institutions permission to forego the fall 2020 football season without penalty or sanction. The ASC Council of Presidents approved our request. At this time, the ASC is still determining if all conference play will be canceled. This is a tough decision. However, for Southwestern University it is the best way we know to maintain a safe environment for our Pirates during the current COVID pandemic.
We have let the ASC know that should they shift the football season to the spring; Southwestern would be interested in participating. As soon as we have definitive information about the spring season, we will share that with you. In the meantime, all Pirate teams will continue to conduct training and workouts to prepare for whatever the spring brings in terms of competition.
I want to take a moment to recognize the leadership of Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Glenn Schwab. Glenn has worked relentlessly over the last few weeks to ensure that our concerns about our student-athletes' health and safety have been addressed. I know he will continue his mission to see all SU athletes stay safe while honoring their college athletics career.
Coach Joe Austin and his staff have already begun looking at opportunities to keep our football players fit while continuing to advance their instruction in leadership, discipline, and teamwork. I think every player and our football parents will be impressed with the creativity and dedication Coach Austin brings to this trying situation.
We are all disappointed. Students, we recognize your talent as an athlete, leader, and team member. I ask each of you to support one another, just as Pirate fans have always been there to support you.
Sincerely,
