Grand Canyon University Athletics
Dates, sizes set for move of fall championships
9/22/2020 3:55:00 PM | General, Cross Country, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Volleyball, Paul Coro
NCAA DI Board of Directors reduces postseason bracket fields by 75%
Grand Canyon's fall sports now have spring goals after the NCAA Board of Directors gave its approval Tuesday for moving the fall sports' NCAA championships to the spring with reduced participation.
GCU cross country teams, soccer teams and the women's volleyball team will vie for the national stage in the spring, following a NCAA Division I Council recommendation that followed fall seasons' postponements because of COVID-19.
The Division I Competition Oversight Committee and each sport's committee developed a plan that reduced team sports' bracket sizes by 75% for the spring (see chart below). The WAC, like each conference, will continue to have an automatic qualifier.
GCU cross country teams annually compete in the NCAA West Regional while the Lopes' men's soccer team reached the NCAA Division I NCAA tournament in 2018.
"The plan sent to us by the Division I Council provides the maximum number of opportunities to fall student-athletes to participate in NCAA championships while still being fiscally responsible," Board of Directors acting chair and Texas State President Denise Trauth said in a NCAA release. "We look forward to the spring, understanding things will look a little different but knowing the competitions will be just as meaningful as in normal circumstances."
In August, the WAC Board of Directors ruled that its fall sports would be played in the spring if NCAA fall championships were moved to that time period. NCAA oversight committees could revisit the new parameters later.
On Tuesday, the Board of Governors also directed that all sites be predetermined and that the number of preliminary sites be reduced for health and safety.
GCU cross country teams, soccer teams and the women's volleyball team will vie for the national stage in the spring, following a NCAA Division I Council recommendation that followed fall seasons' postponements because of COVID-19.
The Division I Competition Oversight Committee and each sport's committee developed a plan that reduced team sports' bracket sizes by 75% for the spring (see chart below). The WAC, like each conference, will continue to have an automatic qualifier.GCU cross country teams annually compete in the NCAA West Regional while the Lopes' men's soccer team reached the NCAA Division I NCAA tournament in 2018.
"The plan sent to us by the Division I Council provides the maximum number of opportunities to fall student-athletes to participate in NCAA championships while still being fiscally responsible," Board of Directors acting chair and Texas State President Denise Trauth said in a NCAA release. "We look forward to the spring, understanding things will look a little different but knowing the competitions will be just as meaningful as in normal circumstances."
In August, the WAC Board of Directors ruled that its fall sports would be played in the spring if NCAA fall championships were moved to that time period. NCAA oversight committees could revisit the new parameters later.
On Tuesday, the Board of Governors also directed that all sites be predetermined and that the number of preliminary sites be reduced for health and safety.
| Sport | Bracket size | Automatic qualifiers | At-large qualifiers | First competition | Selection date | Championship date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's/women's cross country | 255 per gender | n/a | 255 per gender | Jan. 23 | March 6 | March 15 |
| Men's soccer | 36 | 24 | 12 | Feb. 3 | April 18 | May 13-17 |
| Women's soccer | 48 | 31 | 17 | Feb. 3 | April 18 | May 13-17 |
| Women's volleyball | 48 | 32 | 16 | Jan. 22 | April 4 | April 23-25 |
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