COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou athletics will not be able to begin fall sports competition until at least August 31, according to a release from the SEC.

This directly affects the volleyball, soccer and cross country teams at MU.

“Our leadership has had to make very difficult decisions in regards to the 2020 season,” MU soccer coach Bryan Blitz said in a release. “While this has been an ever-evolving situation, our top priority has always been the safety of our student-athletes and our community. We will continue to move forward and prepare for our return to competition.”

MU volleyball coach Josh Taylor released a statement as well.

“The safety of our student-athletes and coaching staff is the number one priority,” Taylor said. “These decisions are in the best interest of everyone involved. We will continue to adjust our preparation and training for the 2020 season and will be ready to go when the opportunity arises.”

The MU football team is not scheduled to start its season until Sept. 5 against Central Arkansas, so this decision will not impact the Tigers start to the season.

According to MU, the move was made in order to “provide additional time to prepare for the safe return of competition on an adjusted timeline.”

Mizzou athletics has not released the schedules for the volleyball, cross country and soccer teams, so it’s unclear how many games have been postponed.

In years past, all three teams have started competition, including exhibitions, in August.

On Monday, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said the conference will wait till the end of July to make a final decision on fall sports.