NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans will suspend all fall contests to the spring
following the announcement by the Southland Conference.
The Southland Conference Board of Directors voted to postpone all league competition to the spring Wednesday.
New Orleans, along with the majority of institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas are expected to postpone all intercollegiate contests this fall with the health and safety of its student-athletes, coaches and communities as its top priority.
Southland Commissioner Tom Burnett said "we look forward to a unique spring season of athletics that also includes NCAA postseason opportunities."
Central Arkansas President and Chair of the Southland Dr. Houston Davis added "a delay to the spring allows campuses and athletic departments to get a better handle on issues related to COVID-19."
New Orleans Director of Athletics
Tim Duncan stated "over the past few months, I have been in close contact with Dr. Nicklow, the Athletics Executive Team, and our head coaches. I am proud to say we are all in alignment with the decision to postpone fall sports here at the University of New Orleans. We think moving the current fall sports season to the spring will allow us additional time to plan those competitions in the absolute safest manner for our 191 student-athletes."
University of New Orleans President
Dr. John Nicklow said "after several calls with the Board of Directors of the Southland Conference and multiple meetings on campus, we made an extremely difficult decision to postpone the fall season. The health and safety of our student-athletes and coaches are of paramount importance. We thought it was best to postpone the season now to provide academic flexibility for this semester."
The fall sports affected for the Privateers are men's and women's cross country and volleyball. The preseason fall competitions for golf and men's and women's tennis have also been canceled. At this time, there have been no decisions made regarding winter sports.
Though teams will not participate in outside competition, student athletes will remain engaged in training through practice and inter-squad competition.
Southland Conference athletic directors are beginning discussions for a return to competition. To see the updated Athletics COVID-19 Task Force plan, please visit
UNOPrivateers.com/COVID19.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@UNOPrivateers on Twitter,
@UNOPrivateers on Instagram, like
/UNOPrivateers on Facebook and subscribe to the
UNOPrivateers YouTube channel.
