WSU Mens Basketball vs. Central State | Photo by Daniel Delgado | Edited by Kayli Thompson | The Wright State Guardian
After the Horizon League’s decision to postpone fall sports, there were a lot of questions surrounding the basketball season and when it could take place.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has had ongoing discussions about a potential start date for the season, and is hoping to have the season at some point during the winter.
“This is a decision that the NCAA will make with the best interests in mind for all of its over 1,200-member schools,” said the Wright State University (WSU) athletic department.
WSU will move forward with whatever information they receive from the NCAA regarding the basketball season.
Start date
There are lots of different scenarios that could play out on when the season will occur, and it most likely will be pushed back from the original start date that is set.
“We have learned a great deal over the course of the summer, and with health and safety being our priority, we have developed and studied contingency plans for alternatives to the scheduled Nov. 10 start date,” said NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt.
Once a decision is made on the start date of the season, WSU will be prepared to follow any guidelines that are put in place by the NCAA.
“We are confident that we will be prepared to get back to competition when the athletic landscape has improved,” said the WSU athletic department.
Health first
Regardless of the momentum around the season beginning, the NCAA and WSU will focus on the health of the student-athlete first and foremost.
“We have always been committed to the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans as our top priority,” said the WSU athletic department.
If there are violations of any of the restrictions put in place by the NCAA, there will be harsh punishments for the parties involved.
“Unethical conduct, failure of head coach responsibility, lack of institutional control and failure to monitor are among the most serious allegations the enforcement staff can bring,” according to the NCAA’s website.
If the season does happen, there will most likely be no fans allowed, and there will be several different restrictions put in place.
