TALLAHASSEE,Fla. (WTXL) - Florida A&M University's women's basketball team will not compete this season due to COVID-19 concerns.
According to a release published Monday afternoon, the NCAA directed all member schools to provide student-athletes with an option to "opt-out" of competition this year due to concerns of the virus.
As a result, the Rattlers began preseason camp with a limited number of players on the roster.
"With the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, it has been determined that moving forward would not be feasible," the school wrote in a release.
For players who choose to opt out, NCAA will allow the student-athletes to keep that year of eligibility.
"We are very disappointed but obviously we are taking concerns and circumstances within the women's basketball program and COVID-19 very seriously. Student-athletes' health and safety is and will remain our top priority," Vice President and Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha said. "The department of athletics and the University are committed to adhering to all COVID-19 protocols and making sure we keep every Rattler student-athlete safe.
The news means that Florida State Women’s Basketball’s scheduled season opener at Florida A&M on Wednesday, Nov. 25, has been canceled.
The Seminoles’ next scheduled game is a home matchup vs. rival Florida on Sunday, Nov. 29.
