THUNDER BAY – Tom Warden says Ontario University Athletics' decision to cancel sactioned sporting activity until at least Dec. 31 is gut-wrenching.
But Warden, the athletic director at Lakehead University, on Monday said it was a move that had to be made.
Schools were left with little other choice.
"My reaction is I saw it coming and I respect the governing bodies that have made these decisions. It's based on the health and safety of our students and our student athletes," Warden said, the news coming a day after Canada West announced it had cancelled all varsity games and events through the end of the year.
Atlantic University Sport followed suit on Monday, and U Sport announced it has cancelled all fall championships, including football's Vanier Cup.
"It is a difficult one, but certainly our sector is not alone for difficult situations and difficult decisions," Warden said. "Putting students first, putting our community first, is the important part."
Lakehead has men's and women's basketball, track and field, cross-country, wrestling and Nordic ski teams. The Thunder Bay school also has men's hockey and women's volleyball teams.
Warden said it's too soon to make any projections about what might happen when January arrives, but if sports are played, it almost certainly won't be business as usual -- and that's if the games resume at all in 2020-21.
"To be clear, whatever it looks like, it'll be different," Warden said. "It might be a group of games that are concentrated. It might not be. So to say what we used to do is difficult to gauge. I think we've got to get through this decision, figure out where we are as far as what's happening with the health and science of all this and see if we can put together a plan that helps our student athlete have an experience.
"Obviously that experience is going to be different this next year. But Lakehead University and certainly U Sports and the OUA are dedicated to trying to make sure they have a good experience."
On Monday, U Sports announced clarifications on eligibility, noting a student-athlete won't be penalized a year of academic eligibility should a 2020-21 championship not be offered in their respective sport. Changes have also been made to sports scholarships.
It wasn't a decision the OUA board of directors took lightly.
“Unprecedented times require unprecedented action, which is what led us to this difficult decision,” said Mike DeGagné, chair of the OUA board, in a release.
“The health of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, and fans is our number one priority, and after significant consultation, we believe that OUA sport cannot be delivered prior to December 31st.”
No decision has been made beyond the initial cancellation date, but the goal is to bring back some sports for the second semester.
“We remain hopeful that we can provide quality experiences for our student-athletes starting in the new year and will be closely monitoring the ongoing health considerations and viability for these future opportunities over the coming months.”
“We are committed to delivering OUA sport once our provincial public health authorities indicate it is safe to do so,” DeGagné added.
