WOAY – The NAIA issued a statement Friday issuing guidelines on when fall sports could begin practices ahead of their seasons for the 2020-21 school year.
They were originally going to announce their plans on July 1 but addressed that many member schools were anxiously awaiting the guidelines.
Per the latest update, practices (as defined by the NAIA) will begin no sooner than August 15, with appropriate protocols in place. Three weeks later, September 5, all fall sports except football can begin regular season competition. Football games can begin September 12.
Bluefield College Athletics has told WOAY Sports they are currently working on a new 2020 football schedule, which will have up to nine games total instead of 11. In addition, men’s and women’s soccer teams will play a maximum of 14 games, women’s volleyball will play 22 dates, and cross country squads can participate in up to seven meets.
