At this point in late summer, before a ball is kicked, the Division I men’s and women’s college season – if there even is one – will be like nothing seen before.
Seven DI conferences have already announced that no athletics will take place during the fall: Ivy League, Patriot League, Big West, America East, Southwestern Athletic, Northeast and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference have already made that announcement. The Atlantic 10 appears to have postponed the season as well, but have left the door open for some competitive games in the fall. Some schools in the CAA have already made the decision to individually shelve their soccer teams.
At this point, most Division I conferences have set varying start dates, leaning on conference-only schedules that would allow teams to come together to ensure player safety in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. But without at least seven leagues, how can a national championship be contested? How is an NCAA tournament possible?
As of publication, the Power 5 conferences appear set to try and navigate some kind of athletic competition. The ACC has set out the most accurate plan, requiring a six-game conference season, with champions slated to four teams in November. According to a report, the Big Ten is hoping to have plans laid out this week. Nothing has been confirmed by the Big 12.
