QU Announces Postponement of Four Fall Sports
Quincy University has announced that fall 2020 intercollegiate athletic seasons for several sports at the university will be moved to spring 2021 because of the COVID-19 global pandemic. This change will affect football, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball, with their seasons to begin at some time after January 1, 2021.
The cross country team currently is planning to compete this fall as scheduled, as will men’s and women’s golf and women’s and men’s tennis. All athletic teams at QU will continue to practice in the fall, as informed by guidelines set forth by the CDC, the Adams County Health Department and the NCAA.
Quincy University is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) and the NCAA Division II. The decision to move several fall sports to the spring was made by the presidents and chancellors of the 15 GLVC institutions.
“We at QU are in support of this decision, which prioritizes the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff,” said Marty Bell, vice president for intercollegiate athletics. “COVID-19 has created an extremely fluid situation, and adaptability has to be paramount to our operations and policy. Regardless of when we play, I believe it is important to the educational mission and motivation of our student-athletes that we do, indeed play. The GLVC decision will assure that our student-athletes, despite the extraordinary challenges posed by the pandemic, will have the opportunity to compete at the highest level in the coming year.”
In looking forward to the early weeks of the fall academic term, the lack of timely results for COVID-19 viral tests, along with questions in some parts of the country about the availability of COVID-19 tests, contributed to the decision to move several sports to the spring.
“In recent months, Quincy University has been part of the national conversation about how to maintain a safe environment for all students, including student-athletes,” said Brian McGee, Ph.D., president. “At QU, students will be able to return to campus and face-to-face instruction this fall, as long as we continue to follow basic safety guidelines. I am proud of the decision made by the GLVC institutions to prioritize the health of our communities, while preparing to offer the full range of athletic opportunities in the coming year.
“We have always known that intercollegiate athletic competitions would create special challenges, especially with an increase in COVID-19 cases in several parts of the country. Moving our fall NCAA sports to the 2021 spring term is a smart and responsible choice, which will preserve athletic opportunities for our student-athletes and is consistent with the values of QU. Happily, our student-athletes will be able to return to campus this fall and continue their training and preparation for their upcoming seasons, consistent with NCAA regulations.”
Throughout the academic year, athletic competition at Quincy University will be informed by guidance available from the CDC, State of Illinois, Adams County Health Department, and the NCAA.
Because many athletic facilities at Quincy University are shared by multiple teams, practice and competition schedules for spring 2021 will be revised to maximize the use of those facilities. Some games and competitions during 2021 may take place at different times than fans might expect.
As Gary Bass, QU’s head football coach, said about this decision, “Moving football to the spring is completely doable. Yes, it will be different, but I believe we have to be able to think outside the box and be open to change in support of the common good.”
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University (www.quincy.edu) is celebrating 160 years as a Catholic, co-educational, liberal arts, residential university. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs that integrate liberal arts, active learning, practical experience, and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with each student to design a customized success plan to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. Quincy University’s intercollegiate sports are members of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference for men and women. For more information, please contact the Quincy University Office of Community Relations by calling (217) 228-5275. Quincy University. Success by Design.