The Pac-12 Makes It Official: No Ducks or Beavers Football in 2020

“Unlike professional sports, college sports cannot operate in a bubble.”

A fan "throwing the O" at an Oregon Ducks football game in 2011 (Ray Terell)

It's not terribly surprising, but for Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers fans, the news is still jarring: The Pac-12 has officially canceled all sports for the fall of 2020 due to ongoing concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement came Tuesday afternoon following a unanimous vote by the conference's presidents and chancellors.

The conference will reconsider the decision after Jan. 1, 2021.

"Unlike professional sports, college sports cannot operate in a bubble," Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement. "Our athletic programs are a part of broader campuses in communities where, in many cases, the prevalence of COVID-19 is significant. We will continue to monitor the situation, and when conditions change, we will be ready to explore all options to play the impacted sports in the new calendar year."

The move was considered a foregone conclusion after the Big Ten also voted to suspend the fall sports season earlier on Tuesday.

In a press release, the Pac-12 said student-athletes will continue to have their scholarships guaranteed.

"Ultimately, our decision was guided by science and a deep commitment to the health and welfare of student-athletes," said Michael H. Schill, president of the University of Oregon. "We certainly hope that the Pac-12 will be able to return to competition in the new year."

Matthew Singer

A native Southern Californian, former Arts & Culture Editor Matthew Singer ruined Portland by coming here in 2008. He is an advocate for the canonization of the Fishbone and Oingo Boingo discographies, believes pro-wrestling is a serious art form and roots for the Lakers. Fortunately, he left Portland for Tucson, Arizona, in 2021.

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office.

Help us dig deeper.