GNAC fall season suspension affects five UAF sports

July 17, 2020

Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902

Today, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference CEO Board announced that it would suspend all intercollegiate athletic competitions through Nov. 30. The decision affects five sports at the University of Alaska Fairbanks: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross-country running, and volleyball.

“This prudent decision prioritizes the health, safety and well-being of our Alaska Nanooks student-athletes and staff, and was not made lightly,” said Keith Champagne, vice chancellor for student affairs and athletics, in a message to Alaska Nanooks staff, student-athletes and supporters. “I also want to make it clear that this is a suspension of fall competition, not a cancellation. The possibility of shifting fall season competition to the spring is still on the table.”

The GNAC will make a decision by Oct. 15 regarding the status of competition after Nov. 30.

Alaska Nanooks student-athletes will retain their scholarships and will begin classes in the fall. Information about training camps will be available once more guidance from the GNAC on each sport’s schedule is available. Currently, the plan is that season tickets and sponsorships for the suspended sports would shift to the new spring schedule.

“We will take the upcoming weeks to evaluate and adjust our fall schedules for the five affected sports while continuing to keep our student-athletes, their families, coaches and supporters as up to date as possible on any new information,” Champagne said.

For more information about the GNAC decision, visit http://www.gnacsports.com/gnac/news/2020-21/13959/gnac-ceo-board-suspends-fall-athletic-competition/.