Highlander
Post Views:
1,530
On Jan. 29, the Big West Conference announced in an official press release that 2021 gameplay would return for the sports of baseball, softball, men’s volleyball and women’s water polo. These news come at an opportune time for UC Riverside, who is transitioning into a change of leadership with new Interim Athletic Director Wes Mallette and is still discussing whether formal athletics will remain at the university.
The Big West is making this step forward with their focus still remaining on the “health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes and we will continue to evaluate the pandemic’s effect on our ability to provide a safe environment for competition,” said Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly. As such, the schedule format has changed, contests have been limited and all institutions will continue to adhere to health guidelines and COVID-19 testing protocols. In an email interview with The Highlander, Mallette stated that their sports medicine and performance team will continue to work closely with the campus to ensure that they are in “compliance with, and adhering to, all recommended and required testing and safety protocols (which includes UCR, Riverside County, State of California and CDC guidelines).”