ELON, N.C. – Elon University Athletics has postponed all fall sports due to the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a press release, the postponement applies to football, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, as well as men’s and women’s cross country. The release goes on to say that the sports may compete in the spring, depending on decisions by the NCAA and Colonial Athletic Association. Additionally, men’s and women’s golf and men’s and women’s tennis play dates have been moved to the spring.

“We’ve been continually monitoring the landscape in intercollegiate athletics and arrived at this decision through careful consideration,” Director of Athletics Dave Blank said. “Player safety was paramount in this decision. When considering everything involved in trying to compete, including testing, contact tracing, scheduling challenges and travel away from campus, delaying these seasons allows us to provide student-athletes with the safest and best possible playing experience current circumstances will allow. In addition, we chose to provide our student-athletes with clarity on the issue of fall sports occurring as quickly as possible as we recognize that a clear direction is best for personal safety, mental health, and their overall well-being.”

In July, Elon University Athletics decided to continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and act according to NCAA recommended guidelines. However, officials decided that this past week made it clear that “having fall competition for our student-athletes is not going to be possible without potential risk to our community”.

Elon’s teams will follow NCAA and CAA rules throughout the fall pertaining to training, conducting skill instruction, engaging in out-of-season practices and competing in intra-squad scrimmages.

Spring schedules, attendance guidelines, and ticket availability will be announced when the information is available. Men’s and women’s basketball tickets are expected to go on sale in early October.