graphic of fall sports
The Council cited the safety of student-athletes as the top concern as well as logistical and economic issues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic

Courtesy: Falcon Athletics

The Lone Star Conference Council of Presidents voted Friday to postpone the start of the football, soccer, and volleyball seasons to the spring due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  Lower-risk sports of cross country, golf, and tennis will be allowed to compete in the fall starting September 21. They also voted to push the start of competition of basketball back to the spring, but may practice starting October 15. 
 
“Student-athlete welfare is our number one priority as a department,” said Director of Athletics Scott Farmer.  “The conference could not proceed without a safe path to maintain the health of our student-athletes and put them at unnecessary risk.”
 
The announcement by the conference has impacted coaches in different ways.
 
“The health and safety of the student-athletes is the top priority,” said Head Football Coach Justin Carrigan.  “This is devastating news, but it doesn’t change our ultimate mission, which is to graduate our student-athletes, while in pursuit of a championship.  We have assembled a tremendous team of incredible young men who will embrace this challenge with great enthusiasm.  The pursuit of the 2021 championship begins today.”
 
“Patience is a virtue,” said Head Cross Country Coach Alick Musukuma.  “We’ve been patiently waiting for the conference’s decision and now it has come to pass.  We are excited and ready to play.”
 
“I’m excited that we’ll get the opportunity to compete for a conference championship this spring,” said Head Volleyball Coach Tim Loesch.  “Now it’s time to get back in the gym and get ready for the spring.”
 
“I’m happy that golf, tennis, and cross country are going to be participating in the fall,” said Head Softball Coach Tiala Tagaloa.  “I know our administration, the LSC, and NCAA have been working hard to make sure our student-athletes are safe.  I am happy the other sports will get the chance to play in the spring and look forward to cheering them on.”
 
“We are excited that the LSC has decided to let us compete in the fall,” said Head Golf Coach Kevan Schott.  “We will do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of the student-athletes.  Hopefully we can be the model of safety for the other sports when they return in the spring.”
 
“We’re ready to be a part of a really exciting spring at UTPB,” said Head Baseball Coach Brian Reinke.  “I know this decision came with a lot of thought by the Presidents and Administrators of the Lone Star Conference who put in countless hours to ensure the safety of our student-athletes.”
 
“We are excited for the opportunity to play in the fall,” said Head Tennis Coach Stan Anderson.  “We want to compete, but more importantly make sure our student-athletes are safe.”
 
“We are thankful for the opportunity to play starting in January,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach Rae Boothe.  “We get to practice more in the fall and focus on teaching our game plan.  The players will get the opportunity to build more chemistry with each other and build for a championship season.”
 
"It will be a really good opportunity for us," said Head Women's Soccer Coach Lynsey Winkler.  "Especially to be able to use the fall to develop and implement our style of play and build a culture of excellence."

"We respect the decision of the Lone Star Conference and our Administrators to put our student-athlete's safety as the primary focus," said Head Men's Basketball Coach Josh Newman.  "We absolutely want to compete and pushing the season to the spring semester allows us that opportunity.  At the end of the day our guys want to represent UTPB in competition.  We can wait as long as needed as long as we get the opportunity to do so in a safe environment for everyone."
 
The Council cited the safety of student-athletes as the top concern as well as logistical and economic issues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Council hopes that by delaying higher-risk fall sports to the spring, conditions will improve and institutions will be able to better follow the NCAA mandates released earlier this week.