WSU vs. Marshall Mens Soccer | Photo by Daniel Delgado | The Wright State Guardian
The Horizon League Board of Directors made a decision on August 13 to postpone fall competition for fall sports due to concerns from coronavirus.
There will be ongoing discussions to potentially play fall sports in the spring, but a decision will not be made until a later date.
“This decision impacts all Horizon League sports that compete in the fall both for their championship season (men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball) and for their non-championship segment (men’s and women’s golf, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis),” according to a press release by the Horizon League.
This decision does not come as a huge surprise, considering that conferences across the country have been debating how to handle fall sports for months.
Staying positive
The Wright State University (WSU) men’s soccer team won the Horizon League Championship last season.
They were eager to defend their title this season, but now will have to wait until the spring or possibly next year.
“Coming off of the great season we just had, I know everyone was excited to get back to playing together and defending our Horizon League title,” said Alex Hummel, senior on the men’s soccer team.
These are tough circumstances that every student-athlete is dealing with, but the Horizon League made this decision acting on a recommendation from the League’s Council.
“I understand that, given the current circumstances, playing a fall season is not practical and the decision to suspend the season made by the Horizon League was done with the interests and safety of the student-athletes in mind,” said Blake Pittser, senior on the men’s soccer team.
Competing in the Spring
The Horizon League will take their time to decide if fall sports can be played in the spring. There are new developments with coronavirus almost weekly, so this decision will not be rushed.
If given the opportunity, there are a lot of student-athletes and coaches that would love to participate in the spring.
“I am optimistic that we will be able to compete in the spring. It would certainly be different, but as an indoor sport we can really play anytime,” said Head Coach of the Volleyball Team Allie Matters.
The physical structure of training sessions, and the season itself would most likely be very different in the spring. This would not deter student-athletes from competing.
“Playing in the spring would give us a chance to continue this historic run and put Wright State on the national map,” said Pittser.
There could be some scheduling conflicts because spring sports will be trying to make up for the season they lost last year, so those sports will most likely be the top priority in the spring season.
