ULM at Troy football game moved to December 5 due to COVID-19

Sun Belt Conference Football Schedule Update

For Immediate Release
August 27, 2020

NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference (SBC) announced today that the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) at Troy football game, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 5, has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 5.

Positive tests at ULM – followed by contact tracing, quarantines, and return to play protocols – have necessitated the rescheduling of this game.

“I want to thank the leadership of ULM and Troy for their commitment to the health and safety of students, staff, and community,” said SBC Commissioner Keith Gill. “We appreciate the work that our COVID-19 Advisory Panel has done, as well as the cooperation between all of our members, as we adjust our schedules to keep people safe.”

The conference will continue to monitor the health trends of its members, covering seven states and twelve counties. Sun Belt Presidents and Chancellors, Athletics Directors, the COVID-19 Advisory Panel, and medical advisors will continue to review data including infection and hospitalization rates, local health directives, advancements in COVID-19 testing, and campus, department and team health trends.

About the Sun Belt Conference

Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Louisiana, ULM, South Alabama, Texas State and Troy give the league 10 football members. Little Rock and UTA compete as Sun Belt members in sports other than football.

– Sun Belt Conference –

ULM RELEASE:
ULM Football Sun Belt Opener at Troy Rescheduled for Dec. 5

MONROE, La. – ULM’s 2020 football season and Sun Belt Conference opener at Troy, originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, has been rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m., according to an announcement made Thursday by the league office.

“I want to thank the leadership of ULM and Troy for their commitment to the health and safety of students, staff, and community,” Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill said. “We appreciate the work that our COVID-19 Advisory Panel has done, as well as the cooperation between all of our members, as we adjust our schedules to keep people safe.”

“There were several contributing factors to our decision to move the date of this game,” ULM Athletics Director Scott McDonald said. “It included consulting with our healthcare professionals on our COVID-19 Advisory Committee, discussions with Coach (Matt) Viator, the realization that our student-athletes would not have sufficient time to re-establish conditioning and return-to-play protocols and the impact of Hurricane Laura on our communities across North Louisiana.

“I cannot overstate the appreciation we have for Troy Athletics Director Brent Jones and Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill. They have been tremendous in their support and shared concern for our student-athletes. We look forward to getting back on the field, preparing for Army and the rest of our schedule.”

ULM had paused all football-related activities on Friday, Aug. 21 after a round of COVD-19 tests produced new positives. The team had initiated return-to-play protocols yesterday with lifting and conditioning workouts; however, the entire ULM campus was closed today due to the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Laura.

“The decision to reschedule this game was made for all of the right reasons, beginning with the health and safety of our student-athletes,” ULM head coach Matt Viator said. “Our initial focus was on monitoring and caring for our COVID-impacted student-athletes as well as exercising the appropriate measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. Our focus now shifts to following the reasonable return-to-play protocols, including conditioning, transitioning from walk-thrus into practicing in full pads and beginning game preparation.

“Our student-athletes have displayed tremendous resilience throughout this challenging preseason, and they look forward to opening the competitive season at Army West Point.”

The Sun Belt Conference will continue to monitor the health trends of its members, covering seven states and 12 counties. Conference presidents and chancellors, athletics directors, the COVID-19 Advisory Panel, and medical advisors will continue to review data, including infection and hospitalization rates, local health directives, advancements in COVID-19 testing, and campus, department and team health trends.

ULM will open its 2020 football season at Army West Point on Saturday, Sept. 12.