NAIA Nixes Spring Sports, Bobcat Seasons End

Kansas City, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that it is canceling the spring 2020 sports season, effective immediately.

Associated Athletic Director Ted Harshbarger said Peru State’s baseball, softball and women’s golf teams are done with competition this year. Additionally, the spring football game, that had been scheduled April 18, is canceled.

He said the student athletes are disappointed about the abrupt end to the spring season.

Harshbarger: “They all felt there were some things that could happen this spring that could be good. The softball team was looking to improve upon its record from last year and, while baseball’s record was not above .500 at the time, they were just starting conference play and they felt like they were going to be able to compete and do well in the conference tournament.”

He said the NAIA would grant two semesters of eligibility for athletes, but many of the Peru State’s players are on track to graduate.

He said the college is limiting campus activities in line with Gov. Pete Ricketts’ order to limit gatherings to 10 people.

Harshbarger: “We’re also moving to online course work, so that pretty much indicates that most of the students will be off campus, which would curtail any speech, music or other activities.”

"All possible scenarios that would have supported a spring sports season were seriously considered by multiple NAIA governance groups," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. "However, the growing state of emergency due to COVID-19, as well as the Center for Disease Control's recommendation yesterday to limit gatherings to fewer than 50 people for eight weeks, meant we could not in good conscience move forward with the spring sports season and championships."