BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo announced Saturday afternoon that it's postponing fall sports to the spring of 2021.
This announcement comes after the Mid-American Conference said it was postponing its 2020 fall sports due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MAC's announcement said in part, "The council of presidents unanimously voted to take this action with the health and safety of its student-athletes, coaches and communities as its top priority."
The conference says it intends to offer opportunities for fall athletes to compete in the spring semester of 2021. At this time, no decisions have been made regarding winter sports.
"My heart goes out to our coaches and our student athletes of our fall sports that this directly affects," UB Athletic Director Mark Alnutt said. "Because, first and foremost, they've been very patient throughout this process."
Added UB football coach Lance Leipold: "Once we find out how we move forward from here, I know we will continue to improve every day and continue to be the program we want to be and represent our university and our community in the right way."
The Associated Press reports that MAC is the first league competing at the highest level of college football to cancel its fall season due to COVID-19, adding that MAC schools rely heavily on revenue from playing road games against power conference teams.
Alnutt said no financial determination has been made, saying the health, safety and well-being of UB's student-athletes is a priority to the university.
However, Alnutt added that there will be a financial impact at UB.