There will be no conference title to dispute, but the state of South Carolina plans to continue with a spring football season.
The Middle East Athletic Conference announced on February 11 that it will suspend its spring football season. Six of the nine league teams chose not to play football, leaving only SC State, Delaware State and Howard planning to play.
This is not enough to hold a league championship, said the MEAC.
“Conference policy dictates that if 50% or more institutions are unable to participate in any championship, the championship for that sport will be suspended,” said the league statement. “As a result, MEAC has decided to allow individual member institutions to do what is best for their student-athletes and university community.”
SC State was scheduled to play two games each against Norfolk State and North Carolina A&T State, both of which chose not to participate.
But Bulldogs athletic director Stacy Danley said that SC State will play a “conference at home and outside the spring football conference”, supposedly meaning games against Delaware State and Howard along with at least one opponent outside the conference . The school is working to announce a schedule by the end of the week.
“We consulted with our team doctors, medical professionals, coaches and student-athletes and determined that we are able to compete this spring in all of the remaining sports, including football,” said Danley. “As we move forward, we will continue to make decisions based on the best interests of the health and safety of student-athletes.”
MEAC said league schools that play will follow the COVID-19 protocols.
“These institutions will follow the ongoing protocols that they have outlined in their schools and will continue to align with the CDC guidelines and the NCAA health and safety provisions that have guided university athletics throughout the academic year,” said the league.
SC State Sports Medicine Director Craig Harward said the school’s athletes are tested weekly for COVID-19.
“As of today, the football team has zero positive tests,” he said.
Like all FCS leagues, MEAC has postponed its autumn football season to spring due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“While it is tremendously disappointing to suspend the spring 2021 football season, it is the right decision with regard to the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans,” said MEAC commissioner Dennis E Thomas. “As I said since the beginning of the pandemic, health and safety will remain at the forefront of all decisions. We support the institutions that will continue to play. “
Talk to Jeff Hartsell at 843-937-5596. Follow on Twitter @Jeff_fromthePC