Morehouse College cancels fall sports over COVID-19 concerns

ATLANTA — Morehouse College announced Friday it has canceled its fall sports over coronavirus concerns. The decision impacts the football and cross country seasons.

The college said it will honor all athletic scholarships and plans to seek a waiver from the NCAA.

Morehouse president Dr. David A. Thomas said he knows seniors will be the most disappointed by the decision, but Morehouse is prioritizing the players health and safety first.

[SPECIAL SECTION: Coronavirus in Georgia]

“Like all of the decisions we’ve made related to COVID-19, this was a difficult one but was made with the health and well-being of our students and community in mind. It follows my intention to maintain a safe campus in hopes that our students will be able to return in August,” Thomas said in a statement. “Our Maroon Tiger teams travel to other NCAA institutions and cannot compete without breaking from social distancing guidelines still maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sporting events also invite individuals to our campus who will not be subject to the testing and monitoring that we plan to implement for our students, faculty, and staff.”

[RELATED: Mayor, governor urging Georgians to wear masks as state sees spike of COVID-19 cases]

Morehouse is a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in NCAA Division II. The decision to cancel the season only applies to fall sports at this time. Winter and spring athletics will be evaluated later.

The Tigers are only the second NCAA program to cancel the fall seasons. Division III member Bowdoin College in Maine also canceled its fall sports.

Morehouse had been scheduled to open the season on Sept. 5 and end the season against rival Clark Atlanta on Nov. 7.

[RELATED: Atlanta mayor says city is experiencing ‘an all time high’ in coronavirus cases]

Mayor, governor urging Georgians to wear masks as state sees spike of COVID-19 cases Doctors say wearing a mask is critical, especially among young people who are seeing the biggest increase right now in positive cases.

© 2020 Cox Media Group