CCC Announces Changes to Men's and Women's Basketball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – COVID-19 and state regulations derailed the start of any conference-wide men's and women's basketball until at least March, the Cascade Collegiate Conference office announced Tuesday.
Recent developments where Walla Walla University, The Evergreen State College and Southern Oregon University have opted out of participation in men's and women's basketball for the 2020-21 season – along with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) continued ban on high contact sports for the immediate future – led to the decision.
"With three schools opting out and the Oregon schools, still not being able to practice or play due to state health authority regulations, the very difficult decision was made to move the basketball season to March and April,” stated Commissioner Robert Cashell. “The decision was made with the hope that COVID-19 cases will subside, the vaccine will have become widely available and restrictions loosened."
The 12-team league will have only Lewis-Clark State College and the College of Idaho pursuing NAIA postseason play at this time. Northwest University was also able to play early season games, but has paused most activities and will resume in March if the conference is able to play.
"It is very disappointing for all the student-athletes and coaches that our basketball season will not be played in a time frame that would lead to a full conference tournament or national championship participation," added Cashell. "If we are able to play next spring, we will do all we can to make it a great experience."
Revised schedules will be released once the final number of teams participating is solidified.