JACKSON, Miss. – Today, the Southern Athletic Association Presidents' Council, which includes Dr. Robert Pearigen of Millsaps College, announced the suspension of all conference athletic competition through the 2020 fall semester.
 
In conjunction with that announcement, Millsaps College has also decided to suspend non-conference competition for the fall semester and, at this time, move all outside competition to the spring semester.

It is the intention of both the conference and the member institutions to support both conference play and conference championships for all fall sports during the spring semester.  
 
"The highest priority at each institution is the health and wellbeing of our campus communities, student-athletes, coaches, administrators and spectators," said SAA Commissioner, Jay Gardiner. "As the pandemic evolves, the SAA will continue to monitor the situation and intends to resume fall sport competition in early 2021."
 
As part of the conference's newly announced plan for this fall, each institution will have an opportunity to work with student-athletes for training opportunities outside a traditional season, consistent with federal and state public health authorities, the NCAA, and institutional guidelines.
 
Additionally, the SAA will join other Division III conferences in requesting that the NCAA postpone fall championships until the spring semester of 2021.

"As a former coach and college athlete myself, I understand the work and time each athlete has invested to prepare for their upcoming season," said Director of Athletics Aaron Pelch. "I know the sacrifices each of them make as a student-athlete at Millsaps. I am heartbroken over what this announcement means to all of them, their families and their coaches. As I mentioned in today's letter to our student-athletes, I want them to remember that lessons learned through sports are lessons learned for life, and champions view adversity as opportunity. I hope we all will take this opportunity to grow stronger together on this campus in the fall and show everyone that champions are made at Millsaps."