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U Sports has thrown away the playbook.
In its place comes one that will make all of its players happy.
The governing body of Canadian university sports announced Monday that it is reversing course on its controversial decision earlier this month not to extend the age-cap regarding its student-athlete footballers in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
“U Sports will provide a one-time exception to (the age-out policy), thereby permitting all currently eligible student-athletes to participate in the 2021 football season, even if they exceed the current policy before the start of the 2021 campaign,” said a statement from its Toronto office.
It means upwards of 340 football players deemed too old to partake — those turning 25 ahead of next year’s season — are now eligible for the 2021 campaign.
This exception, says U Sports, will be included as part of its consultation process with member universities and stakeholders to review its football eligibility policies for the coming years.
“After discussions with our membership, we have determined that it’s an appropriate time to explore ways to improve the current safety and participation policies in football with an anticipated completion date of February 2021,” said U Sports interim chief executive officer Dick White. “Although there are many negative impacts of the COVID pandemic, there are also opportunities to make some changes.”
The 2020 football season is gone, scrubbed because U Sports is doing what’s best for its student-athletes.
It followed by adapting to the troubled times by not charging the athletes a year of eligibility, meaning those facing their final kick at the cat in all fall sports could return in 2021.
But the U Sports board of directors then came back with a decision not to make any exceptions for players aging out — that is those slated to turn 25 where football is concerned.
So Monday’s overturn of that decision is welcomed.
“It’s a massive weight off my shoulders, knowing I’ll be able to be back on the field with my football family in 2021,” said University of Calgary Dinos quarterback Josiah Joseph, who helped lead the charge in speaking out about the flawed decision.
“It’s a bit frustrating it took this long and took the turns it did before coming to the right decision,” added the 25-year-old from Peachland, B.C. “However, I’m just excited and happy to be able to play in my senior season.
“Just a big thank-you to all of the support us seniors received from the numerous Canadian football platforms, coaches and ex-players who helped get the message out.”
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