2020 Season

From someone who knows what current thinking is at the NCAA: Fall sports will not be allowed to start up until campuses are open. Exactly what "open" means, I do not know. But the essence appears to be that they are not going to allow schools to jump the gun with sports.

The first summer session is online only.
The second summer session format will be determined for session Which begins June 29 will be determined by May 1.
The phrase “hybrid session is used for session II.

https://www.up.edu/summer/

Tentatively the first game of the 2020 season is at PSU on August 13th. I sure hope that it will be played, with fans in attendance, on that date!

Several P5 conferences had a conference call with Pence last Wednesday and responded to administration  pressure by telling him that the P5’s wouldn’t consider football unless students were in classes.
Without testing much better than now or a vaccine, that isn’t likely. The Big 12 commish was quoted:

“(We) made the point we were concerned and wanted to get back to having kids attending college and opening up our colleges and universities,” Bowlsby said. “That until that happened we weren't going to be having any sports.”

I’ll go out on a limb that this ncludes the soccer season.

To my mind the best hope the ncaa has is an abbreviated basketball season and March  Madness, which accounts for 80% of ncaa income.

https://www.journalgazette.net/sports/colleges/20200416/colleges-no-classes-no-football

A_Fan wrote:Tentatively the first game of the 2020 season is at PSU on August 13th.  I sure hope that it will be played, with fans in attendance, on that date!

We really have to hope there are players present too...it all depends upon when students will be allowed back on campus.

That August 13 game against PSU will be played a 1pm in Hillsboro just so it will make it easier for you to attend!!

The rest of the (tentative) schedule:

8/20 UC Irvine 7pm
8/23 Cal 7pm
8/27 vs. Bowling Green @ Penn St.
8/30 @ Penn St.
9/3 & 9/6 TBA at Husky/Nike Invitational in Seattle
9/10 Oregon St 7pm
9/13 UC Davis 5pm
9/18 Oregon 7pm (double-header with men playing at 4:30)
9/25 North Dakota 4:30pm (double-header with men playing at 7:00)
10/2 LMU 7pm
10/7 @ SCU TBA
10/10 UOP 7pm
10/16 @ USF TBA
10/21 PU 7pm
10/25 @ USD 1pm
10/30 @ GU TBA
11/4 SMC 7pm
11/7 @ BYU TBA

12/4-6 NCAA College Cup in Cary, NC

Geezaldinho wrote:The second summer session format will be determined for session Which begins June 29 will be determined by May 1.

Although not yet reflected on the UP website, I've been told the decision on whether to have face-to-face Summer Session 2, beginning June 29, has been pushed back until June 1.

Yesterday's (preliminary) draft guidelines issued from Salem, Olympia, and Sacramento hint that school will be able to open with social distancing procedures in effect this summer, perhaps as soon as mid-June.  Fingers crossed.

Kate Brown was nice enough to send me a personal Email. The new Governor’s guidelines includes this:

the Oregon Health Authority is advising that any large gathering -- in ALL counties across the state -- should either be cancelled or significantly modified at least through September. This includes live sporting events with audiences, concerts, festivals, and conventions.

So regardless what the ncaa or the P5’s say, Oregon schools won’t be playing before a crowd at least the first 6 weeks of the fall schedule.


In better news, UP’s women’s soccer announced the transfer signing of incoming Junior Sydney Kulenguski from Seton Hall.

She’s a Northern Virginia ( Annandale) center midfielder.

And she made Seaton Hall Dean’s list the last two years.

Year end grades are in.

UP women’s soccer averaged a 3.70 GPA with 15 of the 24 players on the Dean’s list.

Highest GPA  in program history. Not playing, but reaching goals anyway.

Congrats.

Congrats indeed!

DoubleDipper wrote:

A_Fan wrote:Tentatively the first game of the 2020 season is at PSU on August 13th.  I sure hope that it will be played, with fans in attendance, on that date!

We really have to hope there are players present too...it all depends upon when students will be allowed back on campus.

That August 13 game against PSU will be played a 1pm in Hillsboro just so it will make it easier for you to attend!!

The rest of the (tentative) schedule:

8/20 UC Irvine 7pm
8/23 Cal 7pm
8/27 vs. Bowling Green @ Penn St.
8/30 @ Penn St.
9/3 & 9/6 TBA at Husky/Nike Invitational in Seattle
9/10 Oregon St 7pm
9/13 UC Davis 5pm
9/18 Oregon 7pm (double-header with men playing at 4:30)
9/25 North Dakota 4:30pm (double-header with men playing at 7:00)
10/2 LMU 7pm
10/7 @ SCU TBA
10/10 UOP 7pm
10/16 @ USF TBA
10/21 PU 7pm
10/25 @ USD 1pm
10/30 @ GU TBA
11/4 SMC 7pm
11/7 @ BYU TBA

12/4-6 NCAA College Cup in Cary, NC

The Cal State system , largest in the country, just announced it is going online for fall semester.
Ncaa President Mark Emmert has already Said no classes, no sports.

Well, it’s starting to look like we can kiss the first six weeks goodbye. The 3 Oregon schools and the two cal state system schools are a write off, with Penn State doubtfull.

And Cal and Udub are also looking like they will be online.

Geezaldinho wrote:

DoubleDipper wrote:

A_Fan wrote:Tentatively the first game of the 2020 season is at PSU on August 13th.  I sure hope that it will be played, with fans in attendance, on that date!

We really have to hope there are players present too...it all depends upon when students will be allowed back on campus.

That August 13 game against PSU will be played a 1pm in Hillsboro just so it will make it easier for you to attend!!

The rest of the (tentative) schedule:

8/20 UC Irvine 7pm
8/23 Cal 7pm
8/27 vs. Bowling Green @ Penn St.
8/30 @ Penn St.
9/3 & 9/6 TBA at Husky/Nike Invitational in Seattle
9/10 Oregon St 7pm
9/13 UC Davis 5pm
9/18 Oregon 7pm (double-header with men playing at 4:30)
9/25 North Dakota 4:30pm (double-header with men playing at 7:00)
10/2 LMU 7pm
10/7 @ SCU TBA
10/10 UOP 7pm
10/16 @ USF TBA
10/21 PU 7pm
10/25 @ USD 1pm
10/30 @ GU TBA
11/4 SMC 7pm
11/7 @ BYU TBA

12/4-6 NCAA College Cup in Cary, NC

The Cal State system , largest in the country, just announced it is going online for fall semester.
Ncaa President Mark Emmert has already Said no classes, no sports.

Well, it’s starting to look like we can kiss the first six weeks goodbye. The 3 Oregon schools and the two cal state system schools are a write off, with Penn State doubtfull.

And Cal and Udub are also looking like they will be online.

I would hold off on reaching conclusions on some of this. The Cal State system says is going "all but" on line, meaning some students will be on campus. I am guessing that will include students such as those whose work depends on access to school facilities such as labs. The exact NCAA position on what comprises campuses being open is not yet well defined, so there still may be some sports wiggle room.

Regarding what will be on or off the previously published tentative schedule, many schools are in the process of changing their non-conference schedules. In particular, some are going to regional non-conference schedules both to save money and to avoid health issues associated with air travel. So, I think previously published schedules are pretty much out the window.

I would not be surprised if the Pilots are on that path for if and when the season occurs. I am anticipating, for example, that they will not be playing at Penn State. I can see a schedule of opponents from among Washington, Washington State, Eastern Washington, Seattle, Portland State, Oregon, Oregon State, Idaho, and Idaho State. All of those would be drivable -- with some very long rides. If the season is shortened, which seems likely perhaps by three weeks, then that is plenty of non-conference opponents from which to assemble a schedule.

Most likely this entire season is going to be like one we never have seen before.

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:I would not be surprised if the Pilots are on that path for if and when the season occurs.  I am anticipating, for example, that they will not be playing at Penn State.  I can see a schedule of opponents from among Washington, Washington State, Eastern Washington, Seattle, Portland State, Oregon, Oregon State, Idaho, and Idaho State.  All of those would be drivable -- with some very long rides.  If the season is shortened, which seems likely perhaps by three weeks, then that is plenty of non-conference opponents from which to assemble a schedule.

Scott Leykam has said UP will attempt to build a schedule that will keep the teams in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

And not to split hairs, but Cal (UC Berkeley), UC Irvine, and UC Davis are NOT part of the California State School system, they are a part of the UC system along with UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, and UC Merced.

The UC system may also go online, but no announcement has been made.

Neither the men's or women's soccer teams are currently scheduled to play a school within the California State School system this season.

Interesting!  Will UP follow suit?

University of Notre Dame wrote:The University of Notre Dame will welcome students back to campus for the 2020-21 fall semester the week of Aug. 10, two weeks earlier than originally scheduled, and will forgo fall break in October and end the semester before Thanksgiving, the University’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., announced today in letters to the campus community.

https://news.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-to-begin-fall-semester-on-campus-the-week-of-aug-10/

This from KOIN minutes ago

KOIN wrote: UP said Tuesday it's planning to open on Aug. 17. In-person classes will resume on Aug. 24 following a week of campus move-ins, orientations, coursework introductions and other training sessions.

The university said its traditional Fall Break in October will be eliminated and all in-person classes will end by Nov. 25 ahead of Thanksgiving. Students won't return to campus for the rest of the semester. Final exams will be taken online from Nov. 20 to Dec. 3.

University President Rev. Mark L. Poorman said the on-campus experience will be very different when students return. UP will follow strict health and safety protocols including social distancing, sanitization measures and face masks.

Three task forces will create and execute a full plan for UP's reopening.

And on the UP website:

https://www.up.edu/news/2020/05/plans-for-in-person-fall-term.html

Sounds a bit less definite from fr. Poorman. He concedes the State has a say.

I've been told Summer Session 2 will be online only...which in some ways is too bad, because a hybrid session would have been a good learning opportunity for faculty and staff in preparation for the 17/24 August school opening.

Apparently the NCAA is meeting today to decide whether summer/fall student-athletes will be allowed back on campus before in-person classes resume.

Even if the NCAA decides to allow student-athletes to return early, it will still be up to the individual universities, including UP, to decide if they can come back early.

Dorms, dining facilities, and especially locker rooms are of concern locally...not to mention orders from the governor.

Here is the latest schedule, but it is still COVID-19 Tentative:
8/13 @ PSU (Hillsboro) 1pm
8/20 Eastern Washington 7pm
8/30 Idaho 1pm
9/3 UW 7pm
9/10 OSU 7pm
9/18 UO 7pm
10/3 LMU 7pm (Currently, there's a scheduling conflict with men's soccer)
10/7 @ SCU
10/10 UOP 7pm
10/17 @ USF
10/21 PU 7pm
10/25 @ USD
10/30 @ GU
11/4 SMC 7pm
11/7 @ BYU

The PSU match is an exhibition.

And, the schedule is Extremely Tentative.

Renewed our season tickets today!

The 14 counting games has me wondering if there is a minimum to be tournament eligible.

I believe that for this year, the NCAA has waived both the minimum number of games required to be played by D1 teams (11) as well as the minimum to qualify for the tournament, whatever that number is.

The LMU game, originally listed to be played on 10/3 that was in conflict with the men's game that night, is now scheduled for Friday 10/2 @ 7pm

DoubleDipper wrote:8/13 @ PSU @ Hillsboro (Exhib) 1pm
8/20 Eastern Washington 7pm
8/30 Idaho 1pm
9/3 UW 7pm
9/10 OSU 7pm
9/18 UO 7pm
10/2 LMU 7pm
10/3 LMU 7pm
10/7 @ SCU
10/10 UOP 7pm
10/17 @ USF
10/21 PU 7pm
10/25 @ USD
10/30 @ GU
11/4 SMC 7pm
11/7 @ BYU

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:I believe that for this year, the NCAA has waived both the minimum number of games required to be played by D1 teams (11) as well as the minimum to qualify for the tournament, whatever that number is.

Thanks.
I believe the number for at large consideration was 14 games, but I can’t find that to confirm.

Geezaldinho wrote:

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:I believe that for this year, the NCAA has waived both the minimum number of games required to be played by D1 teams (11) as well as the minimum to qualify for the tournament, whatever that number is.

Thanks.
I believe the number for at large consideration was 14 games, but I can’t find that to confirm.

Actually, here are the two waivers that have been approved for this year:

• For this year, Division I multi-sport conferences are not required to meet legislated requirements specific to minimum regular season conference competitions.
• For this year, Division I conferences are not required to meet the legislated requirements in order to be eligible for automatic qualification to a division championship.

I am not sure exactly what these mean, except that I believe the second one means that each conference will have an automatic qualifier for the tournament, no matter how that conference choose to select the AQ.

If you ever find the minimum game requirement for an at large selection, please let us know as I never have been able to find it.

Edit: I found NCAA Bylaw 20.9.6.3, which sets out the 11 game minimum requirement for soccer, for Division 1 teams. I have not found anything about a minimum number of games for at large selection to the tournament.

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:Edit:  I found NCAA Bylaw 20.9.6.3, which sets out the 11 game minimum requirement for soccer, for Division 1 teams.  I have not found anything about a minimum number of games for at large selection to the tournament.

According to the staff, there is no minimum number of games for an at-large selection....

It is all RPI driven, however, when you get right down to it, the total number of wins can be a huge factor in a team's at-large selection.

With regard to this year's TENTATIVE schedule, it's just going to depend upon the virus how many games get played.  There could obviously be fewer games, but there could also be a couple of games added to the schedule if conditions improve.

DoubleDipper wrote:

UPSoccerFanatic wrote:Edit:  I found NCAA Bylaw 20.9.6.3, which sets out the 11 game minimum requirement for soccer, for Division 1 teams.  I have not found anything about a minimum number of games for at large selection to the tournament.

According to the staff, there is no minimum number of games for an at-large selection....

It is all RPI driven, however, when you get right down to it, the total number of wins can be a huge factor in a team's at-large selection.

With regard to this year's TENTATIVE schedule, it's just going to depend upon the virus how many games get played.  There could obviously be fewer games, but there could also be a couple of games added to the schedule if conditions improve.

Thanks for the "no minimum number of games for an at-large selection" info.

Although the RPI is critical, it may be impaired this year if the numbers of games teams play are significantly reduced or if the ratio of non-conference games to all games or the ratio of out-of-area games to all games becomes significantly smaller. The Women’s Soccer Committee is aware of these potential problems, will be watching it, and knows it may have to adapt to an impaired RPI. My best guess, looking at the schedules that have been released so far (only 49 of them and very few from strong conferences), is that the Committee will use the RPI but have to make some accommodations due to its being less reliable than usual.

Beyond the RPI, the most important consideration historically has been good results (wins or ties) against highly ranked teams, meaning teams in the Top 50. (Simply using some formulas based on RPI ranks and Top 50 Results Ranks, I can identify 31-32 of the 33 at large selections over the last 13 years.)

It also is possible that the Committee will be influenced by the numbers of teams conferences historically have gotten into the tournament. If that happens, the WCC would be looking at having 1 at large in the tournament, with the possibility of 1 more, in other words a total of 2 and possibly 3 teams in the tournament.