Mountain East Conference delaying start of winter sports

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (AP) — The Mountain East Conference has pushed back the start of its winter sports season until at least Jan. 1 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The NCAA Division II conference's Board of Directors made the decision in a unanimous vote Friday. The conference previously decided to put winter sports on hold until at least Nov. 1.

The sports included in Friday's vote are men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, and wrestling.

The league noted that the majority of Division II conferences have delayed the start of winter sports until January.

The league previously postponed fall sports competition until the spring semester. Participants in spring football, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s cross-country will retain a year of eligibility.

The league's board said Friday it is pursuing the possibility of retaining an extra year of eligibility for winter sports athletes as well.

Scheduling announcements for fall and winter sports, along with championship information, will be made in the coming weeks, the league said.