Disease outbreaks
FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2019, file photo, Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall watches the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami in Miami Gardens, Fla. College football coaches are facing the daunting challenge of getting their players to maintain the required focus to prepare for season-openers when the prevailing question swirling around the sport is when, or if, the season will even be played because of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
College football coaches facing tough adversary: uncertainty

By Hank Kurz Jr. 48 minutes ago

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against Wisconsin during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, in Indianapolis. After the Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Trump, coaches push for college football as cracks emerge

By Ralph D. Russo 3 hrs ago

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2019, file photo, Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, from left, Sergei Zubov, Hayley Wickenheiser, Jim Rutherford, Vaclav Nedomansky and Guy Carbonneau flip pucks in the air during a ceremony in Toronto. The Hockey Hall of Fame has postponed its 2020 induction because of the pandemic. The ceremony was to have taken place Nov. 16 in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
The Latest: SEC Sankey asks for patience with seasons iffy

By The Associated Press 5 hrs ago

FILE - In this March 11, 2020, file photo, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby announces no fans will be admitted to the rest of the Big 12 basketball tournament, in Kansas City, Kan. After the Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
Players unite in push to save college season, create union

By Ralph D. Russo 14 hrs ago

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) tackles Rutgers tight end Johnathan Lewis (11) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, in State College, Pa. Penn State All-American Micah Parsons is opting out of the 2020 season because of concerns about COVID-19. The junior linebacker made his announcement with a social media post Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
As college leaders meet, football players push to play

By Ralph D. Russo 19 hrs ago

The Latest: Michigan State LB and OL opt out of season

By The Associated Press Aug. 08, 2020 01:39 PM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Michigan State linebacker Marcel...

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, members of the Miami of Ohio team pose on the field after the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Central Michigan, in Detroit. The Mid-American Conference on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, became the first league competing at college football’s highest level to cancel its fall season because of COVID-19 concerns. A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press the university president’s voted to not play in the fall and consider a spring season. The person spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because an official announcement was still being prepared.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
After MAC surrenders to pandemic, will other leagues follow?

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 08, 2020 11:38 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2017, file photo, Weber State coach Jay Hill hoists the trophy after they defeated Idaho State in an NCAA college football game for a share of the Big Sky Conference title in Ogden, Utah. The The Big Sky Conference postponed its football season on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, to the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic and called for the FCS playoffs to be moved to the second semester as well. (Matt Herp/Standard-Examiner via AP, File)
Idaho State at Weber State 11/18/2017

Aug. 07, 2020 04:21 PM EDT

FILE - This Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, shows the Pac-12 logo during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Kent State, in Tempe, Ariz. The Pac-12 has set Sept. 26 as the start of its 10-game conference-only football schedule. The Pac-12 announced three weeks ago it would eliminate nonconference games for its 12 member schools. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
College football players, parents, unite to be heard

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 07, 2020 12:23 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2015, file photo, Southern Utah celebrates with the trophy after defeating Northern Arizona in an NCAA college football game for the Big Sky Conference title Cedar City, Utah. The Big Sky Conference postponed its football season on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, to the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic and called for the FCS playoffs to be moved to the second semester as well.(Jordan Allred/The Spectrum via AP)
The Latest: Conference USA leaves 12-game option open

By The Associated Press Aug. 07, 2020 10:47 AM EDT

The Latest: Saints have two on COVID-19 reserve list.

By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2020 02:37 PM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The New Orleans Saints have...

Coach Danny Chavez aids 14-year-old Estevan Rodriguez during boxing practice Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at West Texas Knockout Boxing Club in Odessa, Texas. Both are wearing masks to abide by the boxing club's health and safety rules, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Tuesday was the club's first day open since late March. (Eli Hartman/Odessa American via AP)
The Latest: LPGA reports no positive COVID tests

By The Associated Press Aug. 05, 2020 04:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2017, file photo, Indiana's Cory Thomas (11) kicks the winning goal past Penn State's Dani Marks (18) during overtime in a Big Ten NCAA college soccer match in Bloomington, Ind. The NCAA Board of Directors is allowing each division of the association to decide independently whether it will be able to conduct championship events safely in fall sports such as soccer, volleyball and lower levels of football during the coronavirus pandemic. (Chris Howell/The Herald-Times via AP, File)
Signs ominous and hopeful as college sports hangs in balance

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 05, 2020 12:38 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2017, file photo, a Big 12 pylon marks the end zone at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium before an NCAA college football game between Texas and Kansas State in Austin, Texas. Big 12 schools have agreed to play one nonconference football game this year to go along with their nine league contests as plans for the pandemic-altered season continued to fall into place. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Kansas State at Texas 10/7/2017

Aug. 04, 2020 10:29 PM EDT

FILE - This Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, shows the Pac-12 logo during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Kent State, in Tempe, Ariz. The Pac-12 has set Sept. 26 as the start of its 10-game conference-only football schedule. The Pac-12 announced three weeks ago it would eliminate nonconference games for its 12 member schools. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
#WeAreUnited players reach out to California Gov. for help

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 04, 2020 09:47 PM EDT

Thousands of cardboards with photos of Borussia Moechengladbach soccer fans are displayed on the stands at he stadium in Moenchengladbach, Germany, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. A banner reads "football without fans". Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all Bundesliga matches took place behind closed doors. The German football league, DFL, works on a concept for the new season with fans returning to the stadiums. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The Latest: Lions' Stafford removed from COVID list

By The Associated Press Aug. 04, 2020 11:28 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley hosts the Big 12 Conference championship trophy after defeating Baylor 30-23 in overtime in an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. Riley will earn an average of more than $7.5 million a year under a contract extension through the 2025 season. The university's board of regents approved the two-year extension Tuesday, July 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)
Big 12 to allow teams to play 1 nonconference football game

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 03, 2020 08:50 PM EDT

Belgium's Wout Van Aert leads the field during the "Strade Bianche" cycling race from Siena to Siena, Italy, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)
The Latest: Northwestern pauses FB after positive test. .

By The Associated Press Aug. 03, 2020 05:32 PM EDT

FILE - This Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, shows the Pac-12 logo during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Kent State, in Tempe, Ariz. The Pac-12 has set Sept. 26 as the start of its 10-game conference-only football schedule. The Pac-12 announced three weeks ago it would eliminate nonconference games for its 12 member schools. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
Pac-12 sets Sept. 26 start for 10-game football schedule

By Ralph D. Russo Jul. 31, 2020 03:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson (2) is tackled by Clemson during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. The NCAA's latest guidance for playing college sports during the COVID-19 pandemic recommends testing players once a week within 72 hours of competition. For typical Saturday football games, that means Wednesday would be the soonest athletes would be tested. Is that enough for a team of about 100 athletes playing a contact sport to get through a season without major disruptions? Especially, considering simply being exposed to someone who tests positive can land an athlete in quarantine for two weeks? (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
SEC goes to conference-only schedule, Sept. 26 start

By Ralph D. Russo Jul. 30, 2020 04:35 PM EDT