FRISCO, Texas - The Southland Conference announced Saturday that the league will cancel all remaining spring sports competitions and championship events, effective immediately.  The decision was reached by the Conference's presidential Board of Directors, in consultation with campus athletic directors, in full consideration of the health, safety and well-being of the league's student-athletes, coaches, administrators, support personnel and fans on the league's 13 campuses.  Southland members have been monitoring national, regional and local developments related to the worldwide COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, and its impact on U.S. professional and collegiate sports, including Thursday's announcement that NCAA Championship events will be cancelled through the spring.

"It is with an abundance of appropriate caution that we, as a league, have taken this measure," HBU Director of Athletics Steve Moniaci said. "While none of us are happy about it, we all realize it is a necessary step at this time. We understand that it has far-reaching ramifications for the student-athletes and coaches affected, and we will do all we can to be as supportive of all of them as possible as we navigate our way through this."
 
The Southland had previously announced the cancellation of all competitions through March 30, including its Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments this week.  Now, in addition to the new competition and championship changes, athletic departments have also agreed to prohibit all team activities, organized or voluntary, through March 30.  Beyond that date,  campus leaders will make determinations on other immediate and longer-term issues, such as team practice opportunities and other activities.  Athletic departments and Conference office staff will address future NCAA eligibility issues for current spring sports student-athletes, and other matters of importance to the membership.   Further, as with any legislation action, the Conference's Board of Directors reserves the right to reconsider previous decisions.
 
The Southland's spring sports offerings include baseball, softball, beach volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's outdoor track and field.  The Southland Bowling League Championship, scheduled for March 19-22, has also been cancelled.

HBU administration announced earlier this week that residential classes will not be held March 16-20; however, online classes will still take place. Residential classes will resume remotely, either online or alternative format, on March 23.

HBU COVID-19 Response Plan