(Tucson, AZ) Out of an abundance of caution due to high cases of COVD-19 in Pima County and Arizona, Pima Community College has made the decision to postpone basketball games tonight and Thursday.
The College hopes to reschedule women’s and men’s basketball games against Cochise College, which had been scheduled for 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. tonight respectively at Pima’s West Campus, and games against Central Arizona College scheduled for Thursday evening in Coolidge. The games opened the 2020-21 schedule delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our student athletes are deeply disappointed at the decision,” said Athletics Director Jim Monaco. “However, Pima will always prioritize the safety of students and has prioritized healthy and safety since the beginning of the pandemic.”
The College made the decision because of the high number of COVID-19 cases in Pima County and in Arizona, based on metrics from Pima County and the American Interscholastic Association.
In each and every metric, the county and the state exceed guidelines. Metrics include: two weeks below 100 cases per 100,000 OR two-week decline in the number of new cases; two weeks with percent positivity below 7 percent and two weeks with hospitalizations due to COVID-like illness below 10 percent.
The College has been following strict protocols for the safety of athletes since practices began about eight weeks ago. All athletes and coaches underwent testing for COVID-19 and adhere to rules regarding the use of face coverings and social distancing.
“Our student athletes have been as diligent in safety protocols as they have been in preparation for their games,” Monaco said. “It is regrettable that this decision had to be made. However, we respect Chancellor (Lee) Lambert’s position to not put the students at risk and to not jeopardize their hard work.”
The next scheduled games are for Feb. 6. A decision will be made on Friday about whether those games will be played. The College will review the situation for all athletics on a week by week basis.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
