Updated: Aug. 14

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference has postponed its fall sports season, which affects Santa Clara men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, and volleyball, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WCC Presidents' Council, in consultation with school's 10 athletic directors and commissioner Gloria Nevarez, made the decision. 

In addition, men's water polo, which is a member of the Western Water Polo Association, will also have its season postponed.

Mark Emmert, president of the NCAA, later indicated that fall championships will be postponed.

"The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and the Santa Clara community has been the top priority for league presidents and my fellow athletic directors as we made this difficult decision," director of athletics Renee Baumgartner said.

The WCC intends to explore models for conducting competition in men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, and volleyball in the spring of 2021. The conference also supports an effort to conduct NCAA fall championships in the spring.

The league indicated it is committed and continues to work with schools on plans to ensure a safe environment to conduct the 2020-21 men's and women's basketball seasons in the winter.

"Certainly, we feel for our student-athletes and coaches, but the COVID-19 landscape has continually changed and been incredibly challenging to navigate," Baumgartner said.

Last month, the league delayed the start of the fall season until Sept. 24.  

Last week, Santa Clara University released its most recent plan for a return to campus in the fall. Updates can be found at www.scu.edu/preparedSCU and updates posted here.

Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
• Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Snapchat