Concordia, Doane, Hastings and Midland move forward with fall sports

SIOUX CITY, IA — Four Nebraska NAIA schools are moving forward with plans for a fall sports season.

Concordia, Doane, Hastings and Midland are part of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, which announced Tuesday that it plans to stick with its existing fall sports schedule.

The GPAC says the well-being of student-athletes, staff and communities is its top priority and that it is taking action to help its schools address the pandemic.  The GPAC says it will adjust its plan as necessary to protect the health and safety of those involved.

"Today's statement shows our intentions to move forward as a league and have intercollegiate athletics this fall," said GPAC Commissioner Corey Westra.  "The GPAC will continue to closely monitor the everchanging landscape of Covid-19 as it relates to athletics at our member campuses this upcoming fall."

The GPAC’s pandemic policies will be created by the new Return to Play Task Force.  The task force will announce the policies in early August.

Teams can start practicing on August 15 and games can begin on September 5.