HOBBS, NM---With the recent updates from the State of New Mexico and the protocols for Intercollegiate Athletics, USW Director of Athletics Steve Appel has decided to suspend competitions for all sports until January 1^st, 2021. 
 
"We have worked so well to get to this point and felt as though we had all the tools in place to compete, starting with our winter sports of Men's and Women's Basketball.  After receiving the full set of protocols from the State of New Mexico, we just feel as though these expectations are just not feasible to participate at this time.  It is important that we work together with other fellow Universities in the State, and work closely with the Governor's office in efforts to follow the state's COVID-Safe Practices for Intercollegiate Athletics.  With everything occurring right now, it is more important than ever that we value the safety of our student-athletes, our coaches and staff, and our university as the number one priority right now" said Director of Athletics Steve Appel.
 
The University will continue to work in small pods to continue to prepare for the upcoming seasons.  The University will look at a time when they bring Men's and Women's Basketball programs back to campus following the Thanksgiving break, sometime in mid-December, to prepare for their start of the Red River Athletic Conference play.  RRAC play is slated to begin on January 4^th.  The University will then follow suit with the remaining teams shortly after January to prepare for their upcoming spring seasons. 
 
"We must stay positive with everything that is thrown our way.  I am confident that our student-athletes will get their chance to show their athletic talents against others in January.  We will continue working with the state, the RRAC, and the NAIA to ensure we are following all the proper protocols put in place that will allow our student-athletes to compete again. I am also confident that the NAIA will do the right thing in not penalizing our student-athletes for a full year of competition," Appel said.
 
Stay updated with news and schedules at uswathletics.com.