SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Two different collegiate athletic leads sent notices within minutes of each other this afternoon about whether there will football this fall.
The Missouri Valley Conference, a Football Championship Subdivision NCAA Division I league, said they are taking a wait and see approach to the season. They issued the following news release this afternoon:
“The Missouri Valley Football Conference Presidents Council has determined patience is warranted regarding any decision to modify the 2020 Fall season, seeing merit in delaying as long as there remains a possibility to provide a safe competitive opportunity for MVFC student-athletes.
The MVFC and its Presidents Council will continue to monitor national developments and, if necessary, will consider additional action as dictated by circumstances.”
South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota play in the MVC. Five FCS conferences say they will not play football this fall.
Then a few minutes later, the Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate announces a delay in all fall sports.
Their release, in part:
“With the health and safety of its member institutions’ communities, the importance of successful institutional campus reopening and the overall well-being of student-athletes as the top priority, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Board of Directors unanimously supported a delay to the start of NSIC fall athletic competition.
For the sports of football and men’s and women’s cross country, the first permissible practice will be Wednesday, September 2, with the first date of competition scheduled for Saturday, September 26. For volleyball and soccer, the first permissible practice will be Tuesday, September 8, with the first date of competition scheduled for Friday, October 2.
Updated schedules for football, volleyball, and soccer can be found at: www.NorthernSun.org/2020FallSchedules.”
Augustana University and the University of Sioux Falls play in the NSIC.
Some Football Bowl Subdivision Division I conferences such as the Big Ten and the PAC-12 are limiting games to conference only matchups.