The NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved a plan late Tuesday to move fall championships to spring 2021. The decision comes after hearing recommendations last month from the Division I Council that received support by the Division I Presidential Forum.
“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,” said Denise Trauth, acting NCAA board chair and president at Texas State University in a press 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.”
Among the changes approved, NCAA fall championship brackets will be filled at 75% of their normal capacities. The Football Championship Subdivision will reduce its bracket from 24 teams to 16.
In the approved plan, the Board of Directors said competitions played in the fall term for fall sport championships that will be played in the spring will count toward selection into the moved championship.
The NCAA Board of Governors said all sites for each championship will be predetermined and the number of preliminary rounds will be reduced to promote safety and easier management of the newly scheduled championships.
