NEVADA (KTNV) — Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson shared on Thursday what led to the decision to postpone fall sports in 2020 amid the pandemic and what it means for the future.
Commissioner Thompson said the decision to postpone fall sports in the conference was made after many hours of discussion and that athletic directors along with the medical advisory group had meetings twice a week over the last few months.
The MW Conference announced the indefinite postponement of all scheduled fall sports contests, including football, on Monday due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Mountain West Conference postpones football and all fall sports
Football coaches were also included in the meetings numerous times, according to Thompson, with the board of directors having the ultimate say in the decision.
“Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our students, student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff, and overall communities,” said Dr. Mary Papazian, President at San Jose State University and Chair of the Mountain West Board of Directors.
Along with UNLV and the University of Nevada, Reno, schools that are members of the MWC conference include Air Force Academy, Boise State University, Colorado State, Fresno State, University of New Mexico, San Diego State University, San Jose State University, Utah State University and the University of Wyoming.
The Mountain West said in a statement that it will begin to explore the feasibility of rescheduling fall sports competition, including the possibility of those sports competing in the spring, and develop options for consideration.
“Since the start of the pandemic, our membership and staff have been working diligently to prepare for a fall sports season,” Thompson said. “We were hopeful we could carefully and responsibly conduct competition as originally scheduled with essential protocols in place."
The Mountain West was the second major collegiate league (as of Monday) to postpone their football season, following the Mid-American Conference.
"We will continue to navigate this pandemic together, overcome the obstacles, and return to intercollegiate athletics at the earliest opportunity," Thompson said.
Thursday's entire interview with commissioner Thompson can be viewed below:
