HOBBS, NM---On Tuesday afternoon, the University of the Southwest Athletic Department confirmed that they plan on relocating their athletic programs to the Tyler, TX area in order to compete in their spring schedules as planned. Due to the New Mexico state mandate and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's guidelines for Collegiate Athletics, the decision to relocate was forced in order to give teams the chance to compete this spring. 

Director of Athletics, Steve Appel, on the relocation details: 

"First, I would like to applaud all the student-athletes, coaches, staff, administration, and faculty for what I believe was a successful fall semester. There were challenges that none of us knew how to face on a daily basis, but I believe we did everything in our power to keep our campus safe, while still allowing student-athletes to complete their courses and practice under the mandates given to us. I believe we gave our student-athletes the best environment to live a "normal" college experience during a pandemic. 

The decision to relocate to the Tyler, TX area was not easy. It is not what we anticipated, but unfortunately it is what we have to do in order to allow our student-athletes the opportunity to compete in the spring. New Mexico's COVID-19 Collegiate Sports guidelines have left us no choice but to relocate to Texas. We have looked in to every possible scenario to satisfy the guidelines, but we just could not meet those due to financial burden they create as well as scenarios we cannot control. 

The objectives in finding a possible scenario to relocate were simple. We needed to find a place where we could keep our athletic programs safe, a place where we could make this work financially, a place where students can get their studies don on a daily basis, a place where they can practice, and a place where we could make same day travel possible to our opponents. When looking at where we could locate ourselves, the thought of the Tyler area came to mind. It is centrally located with all our conference opponents, therefore allowing us to stay in one place throughout the course of the season and take day trips to play each opponent. Each sport season is unique and we wanted to be able to give everyone the same opportunity as the other. After visiting with many individuals and businesses, I have decided that moving our sports programs to Sky Ranch, located in Van, TX, would give our programs the best chance to succeed as we can create our own "bubble" away from campus. This location will allow our student-athletes and staff the ability to isolate themselves in the safest manner in order to compete. The only time they should encounter others will be the opponents they face. The teams will sleep, study, practice and eat all on the campus of Sky Ranch. It is the perfect scenario. Sky Ranch has an outstanding staff who's mission aligns with our University. The teams will also have the opportunity to unwind and relax our by the lake and not be trapped inside a hotel room. 

Players, coaches, and staff will need to make huge sacrifices in order for this to happen, but everyone wants what is best for our kids and our University. I truly believe that this can be executed in a safe manner. I am very thankful for the support our President has given us, in addition to many others who have offered their support. It is not going to be easy, but in the end, if it all works out, it will all be worth it." 

The relocation process will begin in January 2021. USW will start by sending their Men's & Women's Basketball programs, followed by Volleyball, Men's & Women's Soccer, Baseball and Softball. Plans are still being decided for Track, Tennis and Golf as their schedules start later in the semester. Each program will use Sky Ranch as their "hub" for about a month at a time allowing each to complete their conference schedules. At this time, Baseball and Softball plan to compete in non-conference games during their window as well. 

Sky Ranch is one of North America's leading Christian camping organizations, with locations in Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma, offering programs year-round. Sky Ranch exists to provide people with a positive, recreational, fun, and memorable experience, while being exposed to the truths of the Word of God. This beautiful property located in Van, TX offers top-notch facilities, wide open fields, and a private 90-acre lake. For more information please visit www.skyranch.org. 

If anyone is interested in contributing to this effort, please email Director of Athletics, Steve Appel at sappel@usw.edu for more information. Please continue to follow our website and social media pages for more updates regarding our spring sports.