8/11/2020 football Edit

A Letter From Oregon State AD Scott Barnes

Brenden Slaughter • BeaversEdge

Publisher

@b_slaught

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MORE: Pac-12's Decision To Cancel Fall Competition

Dear Beaver Nation,

I hope this correspondence finds you, your family, and your friends safe and healthy.

The Pac-12 Conference presidents and chancellors announced Tuesday to postpone all sports competitions through the end of the 2020 calendar year.

This was a difficult decision that affects so many young men and women who are committed to representing this outstanding university. Conference leaders and the league's health advisory team, headed by our own Dr. Doug Aukerman, explored numerous avenues to safely compete. Ultimately, we could not find a safe pathway for our student-athletes, coaches, and staff.

While our student-athletes are not able to compete we will continue to provide access to our athletic facilities so that they can continue to pursue their athletic interests. OSU's student-athletes have been truly amazing in following our protocols for training and thus we are among the national leaders for the fewest COVID-related issues to date. In addition, we remain fully committed to assuring our young men and women are on track academically and have access to all of our physical and mental health services.

I want to thank those of you who renewed your football season tickets and annual fund contribution back in the Spring. In the upcoming days, we will be asking you to consider three different options on what you'd like to do with that financial commitment to OSU Athletics. Each option comes with added incentives as we recognize the financial investment we are asking you to make during this time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented Oregon State Athletics with extreme financial challenges. What is just as evident is the impact it is having on our student-athletes. These young men and women have experienced unprecedented disruption and through it all, they have excelled. Our student-athlete community has performed in a record-breaking way during this past academic term. Now more than ever, we need you to continue in our mission - the holistic development of our student-athletes is at the forefront of everything we do.

Our student-athletes and coaches are incredibly strong and committed to representing Oregon State University in a manner you can be proud of. Our mission is to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes is more important than ever in times like this. I have great confidence in our shared future that includes your support.

Beaver Nation, we are all in this together and will continue to do everything we can to be smart and stay safe. Please continue to wear masks and follow social distance measures.