WATCH: Dave Smith Reacts to NCAA Decision on Fall Sports Championships
August 14, 2020 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER – In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, word came Thursday from NCAA President Mark Emmert that the NCAA cannot, at this time, have fall championships because there are not enough schools to participate.
The cancellations are the result of a decision made by the NCAA Board of Governors last week, stating if 50 percent of eligible teams in a particular sport, and a particular division, cancel their fall season, there will be no fall NCAA championship for that sport.
Oklahoma State was scheduled to host the NCAA Cross Country Championships in November.
"Disappointing, for sure, but not totally unexpected," OSU Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Dave Smith said when asked for his initial reaction to the news.
Following Emmert's announcement, Smith has been in touch with his athletes and coaching staff to discuss their outlook on the season.
"For my athletes, like all other sports, this is really disappointing to them," Smith said. "They worked incredibly hard all summer long trying to get ready for the season. They already missed the end of their indoor track season and their entire outdoor track season. They've been going through the last six months without being able to do what they love to do; I think that's tough."
Despite the challenges that lie ahead for fall sports, Smith was optimistic about working with his staff and his colleagues across the country to create opportunities for his athletes to compete.
"We've talked about how we're going to have some way to have a competitive season this fall, and then maybe an NCAA championship season in the winter or the spring," Smith said.
Smith mentioned that his athletes recognize the potential to compete in the future as an incentive to go above and beyond already existing health and safety regulations at OSU.
"As a group, they get it, but it is still disappointing," Smith said. "Many of them feel, and I share this belief, that having that sport and the possibility for competition is a real motivation to avoid situations that might be risky."
After maintaining health and safety of coaches and players, Smith expressed that securing eligibility for his athletes who won't get a chance to compete is the next priority.
"A season without some kind of championship, doesn't feel like a season," Smith said. "I wouldn't ask any of our athletes to participate in something that doesn't have the opportunity for a national championship at the end of it if it was going to burn their eligibility. But of course, we will give them that choice if there is an opportunity."
Oklahoma State is uniquely impacted by the cancellation of fall championships, as it was scheduled to host the 2020 NCAA Cross Country National Championship in November. The newly renovated, state-of-the-art course was under construction for just over and year and was first put to use for the 2019 NCAA Midwest Regional.
"I know this is hyperbolic, but I think it's true: I think we have the best cross country course in the world," Smith said. "We were going to be the first cross country championship live on ESPN and we had the opportunity to show off our course; so that's disappointing. I am hopeful that if we don't get to host the national championship in March… hopefully in the next four year cycle we get awarded another bid."
More than anything, Smith was optimistic about the potential for competition for his athletes, although exactly when that competition takes place is uncertain as of now.
"Stay tuned, Smith said. "I hope we have something that's competitive and exciting for the student-athletes this fall, and hopefully there will be a championship in March."
The cancellations are the result of a decision made by the NCAA Board of Governors last week, stating if 50 percent of eligible teams in a particular sport, and a particular division, cancel their fall season, there will be no fall NCAA championship for that sport.
Oklahoma State was scheduled to host the NCAA Cross Country Championships in November.
"Disappointing, for sure, but not totally unexpected," OSU Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Dave Smith said when asked for his initial reaction to the news.
Following Emmert's announcement, Smith has been in touch with his athletes and coaching staff to discuss their outlook on the season.
"For my athletes, like all other sports, this is really disappointing to them," Smith said. "They worked incredibly hard all summer long trying to get ready for the season. They already missed the end of their indoor track season and their entire outdoor track season. They've been going through the last six months without being able to do what they love to do; I think that's tough."
Despite the challenges that lie ahead for fall sports, Smith was optimistic about working with his staff and his colleagues across the country to create opportunities for his athletes to compete.
"We've talked about how we're going to have some way to have a competitive season this fall, and then maybe an NCAA championship season in the winter or the spring," Smith said.
Smith mentioned that his athletes recognize the potential to compete in the future as an incentive to go above and beyond already existing health and safety regulations at OSU.
"As a group, they get it, but it is still disappointing," Smith said. "Many of them feel, and I share this belief, that having that sport and the possibility for competition is a real motivation to avoid situations that might be risky."
After maintaining health and safety of coaches and players, Smith expressed that securing eligibility for his athletes who won't get a chance to compete is the next priority.
"A season without some kind of championship, doesn't feel like a season," Smith said. "I wouldn't ask any of our athletes to participate in something that doesn't have the opportunity for a national championship at the end of it if it was going to burn their eligibility. But of course, we will give them that choice if there is an opportunity."
Oklahoma State is uniquely impacted by the cancellation of fall championships, as it was scheduled to host the 2020 NCAA Cross Country National Championship in November. The newly renovated, state-of-the-art course was under construction for just over and year and was first put to use for the 2019 NCAA Midwest Regional.
"I know this is hyperbolic, but I think it's true: I think we have the best cross country course in the world," Smith said. "We were going to be the first cross country championship live on ESPN and we had the opportunity to show off our course; so that's disappointing. I am hopeful that if we don't get to host the national championship in March… hopefully in the next four year cycle we get awarded another bid."
More than anything, Smith was optimistic about the potential for competition for his athletes, although exactly when that competition takes place is uncertain as of now.
"Stay tuned, Smith said. "I hope we have something that's competitive and exciting for the student-athletes this fall, and hopefully there will be a championship in March."
