News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The hardest part of the OVC’s announcement postponing fall sports, the emotions of the athletes involved.
That’s according to Tennessee Tech Athletic Director Mark Wilson. The OVC announced late Friday all fall sports competitions would be postponed because of COVID-19.
“It’s heartbreaking for the athletes, you know athletes they work for these competitions, they work for a full slate of competitions in terms of allowable contests,” Wilson said. “As time went along, that was not going to be possible and then also making sure that the health and safety and well-being of our student athletes is always at the forefront.”
The OVC’s football schools were given the chance to play up to four non-conference football games this fall. Wilson said that will not happen at TTU.
“Tennessee Tech has elected not to play any football games this fall and that is our campus decision,” Wilson said.
Football, soccer and volleyball athletes will all be impacted this fall. Wilson said conference leaders made the decision they felt best protected student athletes.
“We actually felt like at Tennessee Tech we could conduct all the contests and practices in a safe way and we had procured the tests we need to meet the NCAA testing protocols and all the things outlined in the NCAA re-socialization of sport,” Wilson said. “But when it came down to it we just felt like it was best for our student athletes and best for our programs that we postpone the Fall.”
Total revenue impacts remain to be seen, Wilson said. Tech Football lost $450,000 in losing a game against Minnesota last month. The Big 10 cancelled all non-conference games before deciding last week to not play football.
“We do not know the total financial impact yet because we do not know what the Spring is going to look like,” Wilson said.
