UAF opts in to postponed athletics conference seasons
November 13, 2020
Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902
University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Dan White announced today that the Alaska
Nanooks are opting in to postponed fall intercollegiate athletics seasons.
鈥淲hat this means for UAF is that we are not closing the door on the possibility of
competition if we deem it safe to do so after the holidays,鈥 White said in an announcement
to UAF employees and students today. 鈥淥pting in does not obligate UAF to compete,
but it preserves our right to do so when the time comes and we feel it can be done
safely.鈥
White and UAF athletics director Keith Champagne will be available to answer press
questions about the decision at 1:15 p.m. today via Zoom.
The announcement comes on the heels of the to move forward with conference-only men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball schedules beginning
in January. Both of the Nanooks basketball teams compete in the GNAC, as do the women鈥檚
volleyball and men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 cross country running teams.
UAF鈥檚 hockey team competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The conference
is asking WCHA teams to decide by Nov. 17 whether they will participate in this year鈥檚
season. UAF intends to take the same approach with Nanooks hockey as it has with its
other teams.
Many conferences nationwide postponed fall and winter seasons due to the COVID-19
pandemic. White said UAF will evaluate pandemic conditions closer to the start of
play and throughout the spring before committing to participating in competition.
鈥淚f we deem it safe to play in the new year but the situation changes, we reserve
the right to withdraw before or at any time during the season,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he health
and well-being of our student-athletes and our community remains our priority as we
seek to continue to meet the various areas of our mission.鈥
NOTE TO EDITORS: Journalists can join the 1:15 p.m. press availability by visiting . Press will be placed in the waiting room until admitted by the moderator. The event
will also be recorded and available for download after the event at .