Pac-12 To Conduct Conference-Only Seasons for Football, Volleyball and Soccer

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah—The Pac-12 Conference CEO Group announced today an adjustment of the 2020 schedules for Football, Volleyball and Soccer to a Conference-only model. This was done to safeguard the health and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, staff and all associated with athletics events, and to provide the maximum flexibility in scheduling because of COVID-19.
 
"While we support the Pac-12 Conference's decision today to only play conference games this fall in football, volleyball and soccer, we are disappointed for our student-athletes, coaches and fans," said Mark Harlan, Director of Athletics. "We know it is particularly difficult to miss the rivalry matchups with BYU in these sports, and we look forward to continuing those as soon as we are able. These are truly unprecedented times, and we are working diligently to determine appropriate solutions while prioritizing the health and safety of everyone involved. Our conference and university leadership has provided great support and direction, informed by leading health experts and data. We will work with our colleagues at each of the non-conference institutions impacted by today's decision to reschedule those contests, and we will provide more information about our schedules and our home events when they become available."
 
In addition, the Pac-12 announced it will delay the start of mandatory athletic activities, until a series of health and safety indicators, which have recently trended in a negative direction, provided sufficient positive data to enable a move to a second phase of return-to-play activities.