The decision to cancel varsity sport competition this fall was difficult but necessary, says UWindsor athletics director Mike Havey.

Monday, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced the cancellation of all sanctioned sport programming up to Dec. 31. Havey serves on its board of directors.

“The OUA board has prioritized the health and safety and the welfare of all participants — student-athletes, coaches and trainers, officials and spectators,” Havey says. “I understand how disappointing this will be to our cohort of competitors. As with any other loss, they will grieve.”

The league determined after discussion with public health authorities that a safe return to play was not possible for the fall semester.

Havey says that no decision has been finalized regarding play in 2021.

“We remain optimistic but realistic about a future return to sport,” he says. “Possibly we can reschedule into the spring, but we cannot commit to a time frame right now. The league will work to create those scenarios if and when it is safe to do so.”

The governing body of university sports in Canada, U Sports, also cancelled its 2020 fall national championships and announced changes to eligibility and scholarship regulations in response to the COVID-19 situation.