The MEAC's spring season will not happen, the conference announced Thursday.
“While it is tremendously disappointing to suspend the spring 2021 football season, it is the right decision with regards to the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans,” MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said. “As I have stated since the beginning of the pandemic, health and safety will continue to be at the forefront of every decision. We support those institutions who will continue to play.”
Six of the league's nine football-playing schools had opted out, leaving the spring schedule -- which was to begin next Saturday -- unplayable.
The MEAC becomes the second FCS conference to fully opt out of the entire 2020-21 academic year, joining the Ivy League. The 2020 season was to be a celebration of the conference's 50th birthday.
The remaining three MEAC schools -- Delaware State, Howard and South Carolina State -- will press forward with spring schedules as best they can given the circumstances.
The rest of the conference will regroup and wait for the fall, virus willing.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.