COLORADO SPRINGS - The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference has suspended all spring sport competitions through April 6, effective immediately due to the increasing concerns of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Black Hills State University golf, triathlon, men's and women's outdoor track & field, and softball teams will suspend competition during this time. This weekend's softball series at Colorado Mines will not be played. BHSU has extended it's spring break an extra a week in response to the public health threat and  encourages all student athletes that are not currently on campus or back in Spearfish to stay home through the extended spring break period. 

The announcement follows the NCAA's decision earlier on Thursday to cancel all winter and spring championships. 

The RMAC released the following statement:

The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) has announced the suspension of all spring championship and non-championship competitions and travel through April 6 as a result of the rapidly developing information and decisions related to COVID-19.

The decision made by the RMAC Presidents Council affects all spring sports including baseball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, softball, and men's and women's outdoor track & field. The suspension also limits the activity of fall sport programs engaged in spring competition or travel including football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball.

The action, also endorsed by league athletic administrators, was made with the well-being of student-athletes, institutional staff, fans and officials in mind while considering the recent decisions made by member institutions to extend spring break periods as they continue to assess the impact of COVID-19. This action was also informed by the developing National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) decision to cancel all spring sport championships and fellow NCAA Division II conference decisions to pause spring sports competition.

"This is an extraordinary period we are in," said RMAC Commissioner Chris Graham. "As a membership organization, we are guided by the decisions and actions of our members and always in the best interest of our students and student-athletes."

League administrators will continue to monitor developments to determine any further steps.

For any inquires please contact Athletic Director Jhett Albers at (605) 642-6885 or email him at  Jhett.Albers@bhsu.edu.