USF moves football to spring 2021
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The University of Saint Francis has decided to move its football schedule to spring 2021 due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other USF sports are expected to compete in the fall, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has moved all fall national championship tournaments to the spring.
The school’s plan is to hold practices in the fall and possibly a scrimmage, with all being operated under updated precautions from the NAIA, Crossroads League and Mid-States Football Association. The Crossroads League plans to continue volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer along with men’s and women’s cross country teams.
“We are committed to providing the safest environment for our student-athletes to compete,” USF Director of Athletics Mike McCaffrey said. “Moving our football schedule to the spring allows us to continue gaining insight and knowledge on how best to do that. We are excited that our student-athletes get the chance to compete this fall in many sports, while also looking toward NAIA championships and a football season in the spring.”
Fans will be required to wear face coverings at all indoor sporting events, along with outdoor events where social distancing is not possible. Student-athletes are allowed to practice beginning Aug. 15, with health and safety guidelines in place from Parkview Sports Medicine.
The NAIA allowed conferences to make their own decisions on playing regular season games, and the Mid-States Football Association announced last week it will move all league games to the spring.