Fall sports, including football, postponed at FAMU and Bethune-Cookman due to COVID-19
Fall sports at Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman universities have been indefinitely postponed.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, which includes Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman and Howard University, announced the suspension on Thursday, citing “ the rapid escalation of COVID-19 cases” and its disproportionate affect on minority communities.
“Part of our responsibility is to ensure the mental and physical health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff is paramount,” Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, Howard University President and Chair of MEAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors, said in the press release.
FAMU Vice President and Athletic Director Kortne Gosha released his own statement following the MEAC’s announcement, calling the decision disappointing.
“While we are disappointed by the fact that we will not be competing this fall, we do believe this is in the best interest for our student-athletes and our institution,” Gosha said. “Please understand that this decision was not taken lightly. I am extremely confident that we will continue to work through these challenging times together.”
The MEAC has yet to decide whether fall sports teams will compete in the 2021 spring semester. Winter sports are expected to be played as scheduled, the conference says.
This news comes on the heels of the announcement that the Orange Blossom Classic, which pitted FAMU against Albany State University inside of Hard Rock Stadium, would be canceled.
Both FAMU and Bethune-Cookman have the same three fall sports: football, women’s cross country and volleyball. Bethune-Cookman also has men’s cross country.
