NCAA Division II cancels fall championships due to coronavirus pandemic

Shortly after the NCAA Division III canceled fall sports championships for 2020-21 due to the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, the Division II Presidents Council made the expected similar announcement.

Eleven of the 23 Division II conferences had already announced cancellations for fall sports competitions heading into Wednesday.

Sandra Jordan, chancellor of South Carolina Aiken and chair of the council, explained:

“After reviewing and discussing the Board of Governors’ directives, the Division II Presidents Council made the difficult decision that holding fall championships in any capacity was not a viable or fiscally responsible option for Division II. This decision was discussed very thoroughly, and I assure you, it was not made lightly. It is important to note that fall student-athletes will be given eligibility-related flexibility to allow them championship opportunities in the future. As we move forward, we will continue to focus on providing the best championships experience for our winter and spring student-athletes who were not afforded those opportunities at the beginning of this pandemic.”

Unlike proposals considered by bodies such as the Ivy League, Division II will not postpone fall competitions to January or the spring because doing so was deemed not feasible "while prioritizing the health and well-being of student-athletes."

Aug. 21 is the deadline for all divisions to declare final decisions on fall sports. No division will hold fall championships if at least 50 percent of its eligible teams cancel seasons.