Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Sports / ACU pursuing independent fall schedule

ACU pursuing independent fall schedule

August 13, 2020 by Owen Simpson

The Department of Athletics is actively pursuing an independent schedule following the Southland conference’s decision to postpone all fall sports for the spring semester Thursday.

With the announcement, ACU football has no games scheduled for its season. The season-opener against Texas A&M was canceled July 30 following the SEC’s decision to move conference-only for the fall. Meanwhile, its matchup against Southern Utah was canceled Friday after the Big Sky conference postponed its season.

“We’re facing a very different outcome than we hoped,” Southland conference commissioner Tom Burnett said Thursday. “We regret this outcome. However, we are comforted that these decisions were made with the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and extended groups in mind.”

Despite the conference’s decision to postpone fall competition, ACU will look elsewhere to fill an empty schedule.

“While we certainly understand the Southland Conference’s decision to postpone fall sports, it is disappointing for our student-athletes,” Phil Schubert, president of the university, said Thursday. “All universities may not be positioned to meet testing and safety protocols, but ACU is fully prepared to meet all NCAA health and safety mandates, as well as state and local guidelines. We believe our student-athletes deserve to compete, and it’s in their best interest, as long as they can do so safely.”

The Department of Athletics has been in contact with several teams for all fall sports to help rebuild a schedule.

“Anticipating this decision might be forthcoming, I have been in consultation with Dr. Schubert about ACU’s desire to potentially play an independent schedule this fall,” Allen Ward, Director of Athletics, said Thursday. “As reflected in his statement, it’s ACU’s position that our student-athletes deserve the opportunity to compete. There are a lot of moving pieces that will influence this possibility, but I continue to pursue and evaluate what options still exist.”

While no games have been released, Ward confirmed that he has been in contact with several FBS and FCS schools about potentially playing.

“There are a number of conferences in our geographic footprint that remain committed to playing this fall,” Ward said. “We are having conversations with a number of those teams to gauge mutual interest and alignment of health and safety measures.”

Ward is hopeful that there will a portion of a schedule released within the next 10-14 days.

“An opt-out provision is available for those who decide to wait,” Schubert said. “We will continue to monitor the landscape closely and are exploring opportunities to play other universities so our student-athletes can compete this fall.”

 

 

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, Showcase, Sports

Other News:

  • Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Zooms in with Lynay students

  • ACE Sushi arrives to campus for additional dining option

  • 1 in 3 undergraduates did not fulfill fall Chapel requirements

Avatar

About Owen Simpson

- Editor-in-Chief and Sports Director
- ESPN Analyst for ESPN football and basketball

I'm a senior journalism major from Georgetown, Texas. I serve in several roles for the ACU JMC department. For years, I've had a passion in sports and news, and I'm pursing a career in sports broadcasting, along with any opportunity that presents itself in the media department.

You are here: Home / Sports / ACU pursuing independent fall schedule

Other News:

  • Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Zooms in with Lynay students

  • ACE Sushi arrives to campus for additional dining option

  • 1 in 3 undergraduates did not fulfill fall Chapel requirements

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
22 Jan

ACU reported its lowest number of active COVID-19 cases during in-person instruction since Nov. 2 with 18 cases Friday. Quarantines also continue to decrease at 52.

Reply on Twitter 1352719807297298432Retweet on Twitter 13527198072972984321Like on Twitter 135271980729729843213Twitter 1352719807297298432
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
22 Jan

Ace Sushi opened Monday in the former Breakfast Co. space to offer students an additional dining option. Read more below:
https://acuoptimist.com/2021/01/ace-sushi-arrives-to-campus-for-additional-dining-option/

Reply on Twitter 1352695944081498119Retweet on Twitter 1352695944081498119Like on Twitter 1352695944081498119Twitter 1352695944081498119

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 days ago

The Optimist
ACU reported its lowest number of active COVID-19 cases during in-person instruction since Nov. 2. Quarantines also continue to decrease at 52. ...

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 days ago

The Optimist
Ace Sushi opened Monday in the former Breakfast Co. space to offer students an additional dining option. Read more below: ...

ACE Sushi arrives to campus for additional dining option - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

A new sushi company with a unique test will open this Monday, January 25th. New Su
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Praise Day Fridays return to campus

Video by Allie Jones. https://youtu.be/4F0D1oNzGjM   ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast – Nov. 5, 2020
  • ACUTV, Optimist preparing for live election show
  • Earliest snowfall recorded in Abilene

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2021 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved