Sun Belt, ACCC suspend athletic seasons

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus happening around the country, virtually all professional and collegiate athletic leagues and conferences suspended play last week.

Those college conferences include the Southeastern Conference, Sun Belt Conference and even the Alabama Community College Conference.

As a result, both the SEC and Sun Belt’s basketball tournaments were cancelled and spring sports have been suspended, as well.

Enterprise State Community College baseball and softball teams both had a number of upcoming home games – including the Lady Boll Weevils playing for their first time in their upgraded home field this week – that will now be postponed through March 30.

“This provides time to assess the ever-changing situation on a continuous basis while planning accordingly,” a statement from the ACCC read. “The health and safety of our teams, coaches, fans and more importantly, student-athletes, is our top priority.”

The National Junior College Athletic Association, however, followed up by suspending all spring sports through April 3. The NJCAA also announced that it was extended its hardship season completion to 60 percent. That would be the student-athletes on teams that play less than 60 percent of their games would be granted another year of eligibility. Currently, both the ESCC Boll Weevils and Lady Boll Weevils have played 15 games, which is well below that 60 percent threshold.

The NJCAA will also be increasing the number of letters of intent that each school can accept for the 2021 season.

The cancelled Sun Belt basketball tournaments means that the Troy Lady Trojans won’t have an opportunity to build on their team-record 25 wins or earn a shot at entering the NCAA Tournament, as it was canceled, as well.

As for the Sun Belt’s spring activities, those sports have been suspended indefinitely and no time-frame on a return to play has been laid out.