IRVINE, Calif. (KERO) — After months of careful planning and deliberation, the Big West Conference Board of Directors announced Thursday evening that fall sports competition will not be played in the Spring of 2021, officially canceling Big West Fall sports for the 2020-21 academic year.

“The Big West Board of Directors did their due diligence on making this difficult decision. There is no doubt that it is the right decision,” said Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried, CSUB’s director of Athletics, “but I also know that our affected scholar-athletes and coaches are suffering greatly right now. My heart aches for each one of them. I have listened to many of them express the disappointment they have felt from not being able to pursue their passions and fulfill their dreams.”

The affected CSU Bakersfield Fall sports are men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, and indoor volleyball.

The Big West Board of Directors has followed the same standard of health and safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and Thursday’s decision aligned with that approach.

The Board determined that Fall sports seasons being played in the spring is not feasible given the state of the public health climate.

“We remain committed to providing our `Runners with the best possible collegiate experience,” Siegfried added. “We will continue to plan for and work toward the ultimate goal of returning all of our scholar-athletes back to competition as soon as possible. But the fact of the matter is, that’s just not possible at this time. This is why it is so important that we all work together to stay healthy and prevent the spread of the virus any further.”

The Big West Board of Directors will decide on Spring sports at a later date.