#Morehouse cancels football, cross country over coronavirus fears

The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on college sports. First, Division III Bowdoin College in Maine cancelled all of its fall sports, and now Division II Morehouse College in Atlanta has done the same with football and cross country.

“Like all of the decisions we’ve made related to COVID-19, this was a difficult one but was made with the health and well-being of our students and community in mind,” Morehouse president David Thomas said in a statement.

“It follows my intention to maintain a safe campus in hopes that our students will be able to return in August. Our Maroon Tiger teams travel to other NCAA institutions and cannot compete without breaking from social distancing guidelines still maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sporting events also invite individuals to our campus who will not be subject to the testing and monitoring that we plan to implement for our students, faculty, and staff.

“I know this news will be most disappointing to our scholar-athletes, especially our seniors. I can only ask for your understanding and respect for the fact that the College is prioritizing your health and safety ahead of all else.”

“We are committed to the principle that our athletes are first and foremost students. Each one was admitted to Morehouse with the expectation that he has the intellectual ability and commitment to finish his degree studies here. We will support each scholar-athlete to realize that central goal that brought him to Morehouse. Our dedicated academic support for our athletes and maintenance of NCAA and SIAC compliance standards will also continue.”

Division I programs began holding voluntary college football workouts at the start of June, and many have reported a number of positive cases of the virus. Houston and Kansas State have paused those workouts. No Division I program has canceled its fall sports yet, though.