Football, soccer, volleyball spiked amid pandemic
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Perkins Stadium and other University of Wisconsin-Whitewater sports venues will sit vacant after the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference decided to cancel some fall sports because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision made on Monday did not come easy, however, according to Chancellor Dwight C. Watson.
Watson, in a letter to the community, said he and other WIAC chancellors opted to strike conference competition and championships for football, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball as well as both cross country programs.
Additionally, WIAC officials suspended women’s tennis and women’s golf for the fall sports season, deciding to move the sports seasons to the spring.
“The WIAC chancellors all agreed that keeping our student athletes and our coaches and staff safe is what matters most,” he said. “The health and safety of our community is the first of our guiding principles at UW-Whitewater, and this decision falls in line with those principles.
Watson indicated he and other conference chancellors faced challenges related to the ongoing pandemic including adherence to health department recommendations as well as testing frequency.
The other challenge, he said, involved the natural contact between opponents during competitions.
“The WIAC member chancellors did not believe it was prudent to continue competition if we could not test student athletes regularly,” Watson said. “The close contact of these sports makes it extremely difficult to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Watson recognized Warhawk fans, both locally and nationally, who may feel disheartened by the news of a lost season for the university’s powerhouse athletic programs.
The vacant fields, including Perkins Stadium, will leave a void during the fall semester.
“I know this is disappointing news for many on our campus and beyond. The Warhawk fan base is national, and it simply won’t feel like fall without our teams in action. I join the legions who are saddened by this news. Yet, it is the right decision,” he said.
In the meantime, student-athletes will have practice opportunities within the limitations stipulated by the NCAA, according to a statement released by WIAC Commissioner Danielle Harris.
Harris, who acknowledged the decision was deliberate, said each institution is responsible for overseeing these opportunities.
Watson said Athletic Director Ryan Callahan, as well as Warhawks coaches, will allow student-athletes chances to come together.
“Athletic Director Callahan and our talented team of coaches will work hard to engage our student athletes in safe activities that allow them to continue to build relationships with team members and continue to develop as athletes,” Watson said.
While fall sports have changed, the university’s reopening remains the same, he said.
A classroom environment carries a distinct difference compared to athletic competitions.
“Please understand that athletic competition is much different than a classroom situation, where face coverings can be used and social distancing can be maintained. We continue our efforts to mitigate potential exposure on campus for our students, faculty and staff,” he said.
The UW System previously mandated students, staff and faculty members wear face coverings while inside campus buildings to mitigate potential community exposure.
UW-Whitewater, like other conference schools, will meet again to determine the fate of the winter sports season.
In the meantime, Watson said the decision should not affect the UW-Whitewater legacy, which includes multiple Division III National Championships for football.
“Warhawk Athletics is powered by tradition and has a storied history of excellence that will not change because of this decision,” he said. “There is a sense of loss that accompanies this decision, but nothing can change the pride that we have for Warhawk Athletics.”
Warhawk Athletics is scheduling an Aug. 6 Town Hall for student-athletes who have questions about the fall sports season and what lies ahead the rest of the academic year.
Watson said he and Athletic Director Ryan Callahan will be available to respond to any concerns from student-athletes.
