Big Sky Football Postponed Until Spring 2021
The Big Sky officially announced their decision to postpone the 2020 fall football season until spring 2021 on Friday.
Conference commissioner Tom Wistrcill also says the Big Sky is “actively engaging our fellow FCS conferences and the NCAA” to have the FCS Championship in spring 2021 as well.
“This is the right decision for our member institutions, even though we realize how disappointing it will be for all who represent and care about Big Sky football,” Wistrcill said in the Big Sky’s announcement. “We will now shift our attention to doing everything within our power to provide our football student-athletes and coaches with a conference schedule and a championship opportunity in the spring.”
Wistrcill also put it plainly if things surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic don’t improve.
Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill on the media Zoom call right now:
“If we don’t have a better handle on this pandemic in the spring, we won’t be playing.”
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) August 7, 2020
Chair of the Big Sky Presidents’ Council, and University of Northern Colorado President, Andy Feinstein says the decision was based on health and safety.
“The health and safety of our students is our top priority, and ultimately that concern guided our decision-making process over the past few months as we explored every option regarding the 2020 football season,” Feinstein said in the release. “We recognize just how meaningful these opportunities are to the student-athletes, coaches, and staff throughout our conference, and empathize that they won’t be able to compete this fall for a Big Sky championship. We are eager to provide our football programs with that opportunity in the spring when it’s hopefully safer to be able to do so.”
Non-conference play is still “pending further review.”
