CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Mid-American Conference announced Thursday that with all due caution for the health and well-being of the student-athletes, coaches and others involved, it will postpone the start of field hockey, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s cross country competition until Sept. 3. The decision will provide additional time to prepare for the safe return to competition on an adjusted timeline.
 
This decision applies to exhibition and non-conference games and will align with the start of football season, allowing all fall competition to begin at the same time.
 
MAC institutions will continue to follow the guidance of the conference’s COVID-19 Medical Advisory Panel, Council of Presidents and the NCAA’s Resocialization of College Sports Guidelines as student-athletes prepare to engage in preseason training for a return to competition.
 
Rescheduling of non-conference contests impacted by the postponed start of the fall seasons will be determined by each member institution.
 
The MAC and its member institutions will continue to assess the latest developments related to COVID-19 in weighing the potential impact on fall schedules.
 
Statement from Ball State Athletics Director Beth Goetz:
“The decision today to delay the competition of fall sports is a strategic one. It provides additional time for our conference to monitor the rapidly-evolving landscape which will allow the MAC to land in the best possible place for the conference’s student-athletes and departments. Our primary focus remains on the safety and well-being of our Ball State student-athletes.”