The 2020 North-South all-star football game was canceled due to concerns about the coronavirus.
The South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association and SC Football Coaches Association made the decision last week, stating in a statement “our concern for the safety and well-being of these exceptional athletes representing high school communities across our state, the coaches and essential personnel involved in the game, as well as family members, fans and spectators attending the event, motivated the decision. “
The annual star showcase is typically a week-long event, pitting many of the Lower State’s top graduates against their Upper State colleagues. This year’s edition was scheduled for December 12 at the Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach.
The decision to cancel the North-South game follows that of the Shine Bowl, which decided last month to do the same with its annual football game.
The game, which aligns many of South Carolina’s best veterans against North Carolina’s best, was scheduled for December 19 in Spartanburg.
“The team has been trying to get all possible information from the governing bodies of North and South Carolina. Everything from player selection, accommodation, transportation and food services for our players, coaches and sports team and medical staff” , said Shrine Bowl Game President Ronnie Blount, then. “We are learning that with the current circumstances and the monumental efforts that will be required to face the challenges of COVID-19 that we face now, we can hardly be reached by us at this time. In short, if we are not able to produce a high quality game as we have done for the past 83 years and provide the best game possible for our sponsors, players, coaches and sponsors, then we should not be playing this year. “