After several days of meetings and deliberation, some clarity has been brought forth regarding the eligibility of student-athletes who have lost their spring seasons this year. The NCAA has granted an extra year of eligibility to all spring sports student-athletes. While many teams had begun competition, a waiver will be granted as if the season never happened. Central Athletic Director Eric Van Kley says it’s a great gesture by the NCAA, and that it will be up to the student to determine the practicality of staying in school for another year.

“The NCAA has given a blanket waiver to all spring sports. Division I, Division II, Division III. All of those spring sports are given a waiver for an additional year. I think the challenge will be what that means for each of those students. At Central, we have young people who are going on to graduate school, on to jobs, on to different careers and all that kind of stuff. I think it will be a little challenging to figure out ‘is coming back for a fifth year really practical?’ It’s great that the NCAA put that offer out there, but I think each individual student needs to look at their situation and know whether that is or isn’t the most practical.”

The NCAA’s ruling puts the decision to return or move on in the hands of the student-athlete. At this time, there are no plans to grant waivers for winter sports student-athletes whose seasons were cut short, as each of those sports were deep into their respective postseasons at the time of cancellation.