Dear Bear Fans-
Now that we have a clearer understanding and direction from the NCAA and the Missouri Valley Conference for fall sports, let me address where we are and how we got here.
Much deliberation and consultation has been exchanged with the MVC, NCAA, city of Springfield, state officials, and the university itself to ensure the safety and well-being of our student-athletes. I can assure you safety has been our number one guiding principle.
Throughout this process, we have also conducted numerous Zoom meetings involving our coaches, staff and student leadership. Our coaches have communicated the constantly-changing updates to our students-athletes, which hasn't always been the easiest to navigate.
The COVID-19 virus is serious. It has caused death, sickness and financial destruction. It continues to be a worthy adversary. As we make decisions, we can't lose sight of its impact. We must be careful and strategic in our actions while considering how they affect others. We must also adhere to the guidelines and protocols set forth by our city, state and university.
Our Board of Governors has been engaged from the beginning and has full confidence in our Resocialization Plan. President Smart and his team are also to be commended for their attention to detail, their testing support, and their thoughtfulness for our faculty, staff and students.
I also want to make special mention of Gary Stewart from University Housing. He has been tremendously supportive and cooperative over the summer. His job is about to get even busier with students returning to campus. Much thought and consideration have gone into preserving the college experience for our students, and I sincerely hope all students adhere to the rules and guidelines set forth to keep everyone safe. If this is going to work, we all need to do what's right, make some sacrifices and think of others before ourselves. It's that simple.
In addition, everyone must adhere to the suggested resocialization and guidelines set forth by the NCAA. As I have stated, if any student-athlete doesn't feel comfortable participating this year due to the virus, they may opt out and not lose any eligibility or scholarships. The NCAA continues to work on eligibility and other issues stemming from the current landscape, and they have already demonstrated flexibility for the student-athletes in all areas.
Recently, the presidents of the MVFC and MVC voted to cancel the fall conference sports seasons. They also allowed each institution, at its discretion, to schedule non-conference events. These decisions were based on the health and safety of the student-athlete, specific conditions of the virus based on geography, mental health of the student-athletes, and the student-athletes' desire to participate. This decision allows us and others to have a non-conference football schedule this fall in addition to a limited fall sports schedule in other sports. It is our intent for fall sports to compete in the spring for conference and a national championships, provided we are in a better position with the virus then we are today.
For those who have been asking about the status of basketball, we can now focus more of our energies to the winter. It goes without saying that we need basketball to be played for a variety of reasons. Bears and Lady Bears games are part of the fabric that binds our region together. Our student-athletes understand there may be some risk and some modifications to their practice and playing schedules. We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding while the NCAA, MVC and other stake holders chart the course for basketball during these extraordinary times.
We greatly appreciate those who have purchased season tickets for either football or basketball, and I'm very hopeful we will have a season for all of these sports. Our seasons may be modified, but we will keep you updated on our ticketing strategies, which will be based on city, county and university guidelines. We will need your help more than ever this year as we navigate these interesting times. For now, we look forward to seeing everyone at Homecoming on Oct. 17 at 7:00 p.m.!
Finally, I want to once again thank
Jim Penkalski and his staff in our athletic medical and rehabilitation services department. They continue go above and beyond to help our student-athletes on a daily basis and are spending most of their time on COVID-related issues. We all appreciate their tireless efforts and care for our coaches and student-athletes.
As always, follow me on Twitter @kmoatsmsubears for regular updates. Stay safe and healthy!
Go Bears!!!
Kyle Moats
