Official NWC Statement

HILLSBORO, Ore. - The Northwest Conference Presidents' Council has postponed competition in the sports of football, men's and women's soccer, women's rowing, and women's volleyball for the fall of 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Pacific Lutheran University in conjunction with the NWC is working to develop a schedule for competition for these sports in the spring.
 
Men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's tennis will be permitted to play this fall in accordance with local, state and federal health directives.
 
"This decision, while surely difficult, is in the best interest of our student-athletes," said PLU President Allan Belton. "I applaud the leaders of the Northwest Conference for putting their safety first and I thank our student-athletes and coaches for their understanding and resilience. This fall, we'll enjoy rooting on our cross-country, golf, and tennis teams, while looking forward to supporting our soccer, football, volleyball and other affected teams this coming spring."
 
The NWC, along with its member institutions, have been working diligently over the past several months to plan for the safe reopening of their campuses this fall while prioritizing the health and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and campus communities.
 
Practice and other athletically related activities for all sports at member institutions' campuses are permitted in accordance with NCAA Division III rules as well as institutional and state and local health directives. 
 
"First and foremost, our primary concern is with the health and safety of our student-athletes and we are working to provide an athletic experience that supports this foundational element," said interim Athletic Director Jen Thomas. "Athletics remains an important part of the PLU experience for our student-athletes, and the NWC member institutions are working together to provide quality athletic experiences for all of our sports for the 2020-21 academic year. Being able to postpone competitions for our highest COVID transmission risk sports illustrates our commitment to provide those sports meaningful seasons that include competition."
 
The NWC and PLU will continue to monitor changing federal, state and local health directives and consult with our NWC health advisory group, the NCAA and public health officials as we look to make a decision on the upcoming winter season and beyond. We will provide updates as they become available.