(Richardson) – The American Southwest Conference, of which Texas Lutheran is a football affiliate, will delay conference-scheduled competition and championship events for fall championship sports with anticipation of resuming ASC competition and tournaments in spring 2021.
The delay, announced by the ASC Council of Presidents on Friday, includes the fall sports of cross country, football, soccer and volleyball.
ASC football affiliates Texas Lutheran and Southwestern (members of the SCAC in other sports) announced their decision to suspend football until the spring last Wednesday.
The ASC in its entirety made a similar announcement two days later.
In the wake of TLU and Southwestern’s decision, the ASC’s move is good news for the Bulldogs and Pirates. It means both programs will be able to play a conference schedule and compete for the ASC championship this spring.
In addition to TLU and Southwestern, the ASC’s football membership includes Mary Hardin-Baylor, Hardin Simmons, McMurry, Howard Payne, Sul Ross State, East Texas Baptist, Louisiana College, and Belhaven (Miss.)
With the Southern Athletic Association making a similar decision that affects Trinity and Austin College, every NCAA Division III football program in the state of Texas will be sidelined this fall with plans to resume play in the spring.
Action by the Council of Presidents to delay the ASC fall championship sports seasons does not preclude individual institutions from engaging in athletics-related activities, including non-conference competition, conducted in accordance with Division III legislation as well as institution, local, state and federal public health guidelines.
The decision by the presidents was made after evaluation of Division III legislative waivers and Association-wide actions; consideration of conference scheduling options for fall sports; and review of current public health guidelines.
The American Southwest Conference membership anticipates approval of NCAA Division III playing and practice season waivers allowing greater opportunity for students in all sports to have a broad athletics experience throughout the 2020-21 academic year.
The proposed playing and practice season waiver will most allow schools to use a 114-day count for athletics activity. The current Division III structure requires a weekly count for the sports activity and does not provide as much flexibility as offered in the proposed waiver. A final decision on the waiver is expected following the Division III Presidents Council meeting the first week in August.
Under the waiver, each campus would have flexibility in conducting individual and team skill instruction, strength and conditioning, and practices along with the prospect for enhanced academic and personal development, and other athletically related activities as health and safety conditions allow.
“The ASC Council of Presidents recognizes the disappointment of students who normally participate in conference-scheduled regular-season and championship competition during the fall semester,” said Amy Carlton, commissioner of the American Southwest Conference.
“The conference leadership and administrators will continue planning for fall sports to resume conference competition and tournament opportunities in the spring semester as appropriate.”
At press time, a total of 23 NCAA Division III conferences had suspended or cancelled fall sports.