For Immediate Release December 1, 2020 (Contact Troy Andre, Associate SID)
Colorado Athletics Pauses Men’s Basketball Operations
BOULDER – The University of Colorado Athletic Department has temporarily paused operations of the men’s basketball program due to COVID-19, forcing the postponement Wednesday’s scheduled Pac-12 Conference opener at Arizona.
“We have temporarily paused our men’s basketball operations due to positive cases of COVID-19 within the program,” Colorado Athletic Director Rick George said. “This includes the postponement of Wednesday’s game at Arizona. The status of other upcoming games is dependent upon contact tracing and subsequent testing of team members and basketball staff this week.
“As we have since the pandemic began, we will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff, campus and community as we navigate this season. We will continue daily testing of our student-athletes to ensure positive cases are identified early and isolated quickly, in addition to adhering to guidance from state, local and campus public health officials.”
Colorado is 2-0, beginning the 2020-21 season last week with a pair of wins at the Little Apple Classic in Manhattan, Kan. The last interruption of CU men’s basketball regular season games came in December 2006, when the Buffaloes had back-to-back home games against UC Davis (Dec. 23) and TCU (Dec. 30) called off due to hazardous winter weather conditions in the Denver Metro area.
Pac-12 statement regarding Colorado at Arizona men’s basketball game
“After consultation with Colorado, the Pac-12 Conference announced the game involving Colorado at Arizona scheduled for Wednesday, December 2 has been postponed. This decision was made under the Pac-12’s basketball policy – Colorado does not have the minimum number of scholarship student-athletes available for the game due to previously reported COVID-19 issues within the program and associated contact tracing protocols. The Conference will work with both programs to attempt to find a mutually agreeable date to reschedule the contest.
“Not contesting this game is very disappointing to our student-athletes and our fans. While all of us want to see our men’s basketball student-athletes on the court competing, our number one priority must continue to be the health and safety of all those connected to Pac-12 men’s basketball programs.”
TROY ANDRE | ASSOCIATE SID/MANAGING EDITOR CUBuffs.com
Department of Intercollegiate Athletics | University of Colorado Boulder | 357 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309
(Shipping Address: Champions Center #574 (Fifth Level), 2150 Stadium Drive, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0357)
Office: 303-492-4672 | Cell: 303-903-3654 | troy.andre@colorado.edu
