Dear UC Davis Athletics Community,

Over the last several months, there has been significant conversation about how and when college athletics would return this fall. There are now a variety of answers to this question and I am writing you today with an update on the status of UC Davis Athletics and our plans for the fall quarter.
 
On July 29th the Big West Conference announced the postponement of fall sports until at least January 2021. Today, the Big Sky Conference followed, delaying the football season until at least 2021.  While the announcements are disappointing, it is a necessary step in continuing to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and campus community. I fully support this decision, as does everyone employed by and connected to our athletic department though that does not make the emotional ramifications any easier. We hoped that with the start of the academic year we could return to some level of normalcy for our campus and community to come together, and we now find ourselves adapting to more uncertainty.
 
How the winter and spring sport seasons will look is still a work in progress, as you might imagine. There are a number of hurdles that still must be surpassed before competition with other universities can safely begin. I can assure you, however, that we are taking the proper precautions and making decisions with our student-athletes health and wellness in mind. When the time to return to competition comes, we will be ready. When we can ensure the gates can be safely opened to welcome back fans, we will be fully prepared to allow you to enjoy Aggie games live once again.
 
Some of our peers across the country have been outspoken about the need to participate in fall sports, specifically football, to support the overall budget of their athletics departments. Football generates revenue for the entire department in the forms of ticket sales, game guarantees, sponsorship, etc. As a result, I wish to provide you with insight into our operations and be transparent about the anticipated impact this will have upon our department.
 
When the pandemic emerged in March, we began evaluating different budget scenarios to address any number of situations that would present themselves from the impact of COVID-19. We took a number of cost-saving measures such as reducing administrative expenses, holding some positions unfilled, scheduling non-conference competitions for less travel, and rigorously managing administrative items like vacation balances. By design, these reductions have minimally affected resources that directly support our student-athletes.
 
Looking ahead, we will continue to be diligent in navigating through the financial challenges posed by COVID-19. Due to the delay in fall sports competition, it is possible that we will need to work our way through the upcoming academic year without the benefit of significant football and basketball game guarantee revenue Accordingly, we will continue to seek revenue-generating activities to offset the impacts this pandemic has had upon our budget.

The future remains very bright for UC Davis Athletics due in large part to the incredible achievements of our teams and outstanding leadership from our campus administration. Whenever possible and as allowed by our safety protocols, we will continue to train and prepare for the return of sports. Our student-athletes will have access to workout, receive medical care, and meet with their coaching staff as needed to be ready when that day comes. To you, our alumni, fans and members of the community, I thank you for giving them that opportunity.
 
Sincerely,



- Kevin Blue
 
*All season ticket holders will be contacted by a member of UC Davis Athletics staff in the coming days to discuss their ticket options. You can access our Frequently Asked Questions here.