West Texas A&M announced its plans for the fall and spring seasons on Friday afternoon following the conclusion of meeting between the Lone Star Conference President's Council. The LSC agreed on the reduction of the maximum number of competitions for fall sports to 50 percent thereby saving a year of eligibility for student-athletes.

The announcement comes weeks after the NCAA canceled fall championships and the LSC moved fall sports competition to the spring semester. Cross country will compete for a conference championship this fall with men's and women's golf beginning their seasons in the fall and finishing next spring.

"Our goal since March has been to return to play in a safe manner at the appropriate time," Director of Athletics Michael McBroom said. "I credit to our Sports Medicine and Athletic Performance staff for leading the efforts in establishing new protocols, monitoring the health of our student-athletes over the last 5 ½ months. I also want to recognize the efforts of our coaches and student-athletes who have taken our protocols seriously and have put us in a position to compete this season and to do so within the guidelines established by the CDC, State of Texas and the NCAA. Their strong desire to play has fueled the administrative team in our pursuit of playing opportunities for our students."

FOOTBALL
WT intends to play a maximum of five games this fall.

The Buffs open the season on Sept. 19 when they host Oklahoma Panhandle State at Buffalo Stadium before facing off against two schools from the Southland Conference. They last faced OPSU on Sept. 8, 2018, in a game where Tobias Harris introduced himself to Buff Nation with a 72-yard punt return en route to a 42-7 victory.

WT makes their first trip to Nacogdoches since 1997 to face the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin. They are 2-3 all-time against SFA with their last victory coming in 1930. A game against former Lone Star Conference rival Abilene Christian is set for Oct. 17 in Abilene. It will be the 47th meeting between the programs that have won a combined seven LSC titles. They return home to Canyon on Oct. 31 to face off against the Stallions of North American.

The fifth and final game along with game times and ticket information will be released in the near future.

Director of Athletics Michael McBroom:
"I have concerns about playing a football schedule in the spring, especially when combined each of our other programs playing at the same time. I could not see any schedule that would align with our health and safety standards, nor for the long-range aspirations we have for our football program."

Football Head Coach Hunter Hughes:
"Our players, coaches and athletic department are beyond thrilled to be playing this fall in Buffalo Stadium and representing West Texas A&M every time we take the field. We are thankful and appreciative for the outstanding leadership provide by our President, Dr. Walter Wendler, our Athletic Director, Michael McBroom, during these difficult and tumultuous times we are going through. It is our belief that life has to come back with a sense of normalcy. I believe that our university has taken the correct steps for us to have a successful fall on campus and on the playing field."

"Our players have worked extremely hard to adjust to the 'New Way' of playing, and have adjusted to the masks, symptom checks required and protocols set in place to play this fall. I am extremely proud of how these young men have handled themselves as they go about their everyday life in a unique time. They deserve this opportunity and the strong leadership provided from West Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M University System have made it possible."

WOMEN'S SOCCER
The 10-time LSC Champions are allowed 45 days to practice in the fall in accordance with NCAA guidelines. They will play a total of seven LSC games in 2021 followed by the LSC Championships after the conclusion of the regular season.

Women's Soccer Head Coach Chad Webb:
"We look forward to having a strong fall semester to set us up well for a chance for another LSC Championship in the spring."

MEN'S SOCCER
The 2018 NCAA DII South Central Regional Champions will be able to conduct practices for 45 during the fall semester followed by a seven game, conference only schedule in the spring of 2021. The LSC Championship will be held the end of the regular season.

Men's Soccer Head Coach Butch Lauffer:
"Men's soccer wants to thank Dr. Wendler and Michael McBroom for their leadership and all of their effort in trying to find a positive solution in having our student-athletes play some type of soccer season in the spring. We all know this has been a very trying time and are thankful for all of their effort."

VOLLEYBALL
Much like the soccer programs, volleyball will have 45 days to practice in the fall. The Lady Buffs, who will have 10 dates of competition and LSC Championship in the spring, return the reigning Freshman and Libero of the Year in Torrey Miller and Chandler Vogel from a team that went 22-7 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the 27th time.

Volleyball Head Coach Kendra Potts:
"We were ready to compete this fall, but we will take advantage of this time we have to prepare for the spring season. Our players are excited to have a plan and get to work. Throughout this time of change and uncertainty I have been so proud of the resilience and positivity of this team and I have no doubt we are going to be fun to watch this spring."

CROSS COUNTRY
An updated schedule for the 2020 season will be released next week featuring four meets including the LSC Championships. The Buffs have won seven straight LSC titles, the second-longest streak in conference history while the Lady Buffs will look to build on last year's runner-up finish.

Cross Country Head Coach Jake Krolick:
"We are excited to compete for a conference championship this year. During what has really been a time of uncertainty, having a championship on the calendar really gives our athletes renewed hope, purpose and motivation and that will hopefully spill over into other areas of their lives this fall."

GOLF
The Buffs and Lady Buffs can officially begin practice on the fourth day of school, August 27. Both teams are scheduled to compete during the fall semester, with the LSC and NCAA championships scheduled for the spring.

Women's Golf Head Coach Meredith Jameson:
"I am very grateful that our ladies will have an opportunity to compete this fall. For most of our team, who will not pursue professional golf, college golf is the culmination of years and years of dedication and sacrifice. We are ready to hit the links with three new players on our starting lineup this fall."

Men's Golf Head Coach Axel Ochoa:
"I am very excited that we get to compete this fall. It is definitely a privilege to be able to compete given these circumstances and the fact that many teams across the country will not be able to do so this fall. That said, we will not take that for granted and will work hard to have a successful fall season and make the best out of the situation. Our athletic department has put a lot effort this summer to push for us being able to compete as much as we can, so we're planning on giving it our best."

-West Texas A&M University