The American Rivers Conference is moving to a conference only season this fall, and Central and Simpson College will play up to half of their originally scheduled games as part of the decision.

The conference sponsors fall sports in men’s and women’s cross country, football, women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s tennis, and volleyball.

League schools are working out details but team schedules will not exceed 50% of the each sport’s maximum contest dates of competition. Because of that move, each student-athlete from ARC schools will be provided the option of extending their collegiate athletics careers by one season.

On July 8 the NCAA Division III Administrative Committee approved a recommendation from the Division III Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement to provide a blanket waiver in all sports that are unable to reach the 50% threshold. Amending the criteria for a season-participation waiver ensures that student-athletes retain the opportunity to have four full seasons of participation opportunities.

Read more from Central College here.

Simpson College President Marsha Kelliher has offered the following statement regarding fall athletics at Simpson College:

“Simpson College remains a part of conversations that are taking place with the American Rivers Conference and NCAA regarding the future of fall sports at all levels. Simpson will abide by the guidelines and recommendations set forth by these governing bodies as well as follow our own protocols that promote health and safety for our student-athletes, coaches, spectators and campus community.”