Sunday's Daily News 'n Notes: SoCon makes changes for 2020-21; NASCAR race rocks, brings joy; college sports and cuts; and more
Sunday’s Central Georgia - and of interest to Central Georgia - news and notes, compiled from staff reports, email reports, the web, and social media.
Southern Conference makes pre-emptive moves
There’s no sign of a timetable regarding any return to any normalcy regarding COVID-19, and the Southern Conference is planning as such.
The conference announced a variety of changes for 2020-21, but will be re-evaluated when appropriate.
The conference tournaments for soccer, volleyball, tennis, softball, and baseball will consist of the top four regular-season teams.
The tournaments for baseball and golf will drop from three days to two.
Coaches meetings and the fall conference meetings are now virtual events, as are media days for football and basketball.
Southern Conference staff has been reduced and salaries will be frozen. Staff travel will be reduced as well.
“In order to address the significant financial shortfalls created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the league’s presidents and ADs approved a cost savings plan for the 2020-21 athletic year that will assist with these challenges,” SoCon Commissioner Jim Schaus said in a release. “These are not easy decisions to make but are necessary given the unprecedented circumstances. I applaud our conference leadership in being proactive and strategic in addressing this issue.
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