Jaguars Set for Cross Country this Fall

Despite a decision to postpone most fall sports until spring 2021, Governors State University (GSU) is moving forward with conference championships exclusively for men's and women's cross country this fall.

GSU Director of Athletics Tony Bates said the decision to abbreviate playing schedules is a move to keep student-athletes safe as the coronavirus pandemic evolves.

"The safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators comes first before anything else," said Bates. "With that in mind, our department fully supports the decision to move fall sports to the spring. We will honor athletic scholarships for those student-athletes who will not be competing but still training this fall and will continue to provide academic services and support to our students."

GSU’s announcement to postpone men's soccer, women's soccer and women's volleyball games followed the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)’s decision to put off fall national championships for cross country, soccer and volleyball until the spring.

Still, the NAIA decision allows member conferences to compete in the fall. As a result, the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC)—of which GSU is a member—has decided to conduct championships exclusively for men's and women's cross country this fall. The GSU Emergency Response Team (ERT) has granted approval for Jaguar cross country teams to compete in five meets in preparation for the CCAC Championships, scheduled for November 7.

In an ever-changing landscape, cross country participation will be closely monitored and details regarding its season are subject to change.

GSU Sports Information Director Dan Jankowski said continuing with cross country this fall will have its benefits.

“I think it’s good for our student-athletes to stay engaged, as long as it’s done in a healthy and safe manner,”  he said.