The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has suspended their spring 2021 football season, which was scheduled to kickoff on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Due to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, six of the MEAC’s nine football-playing members have opted out of the season. According to conference policy, 50% or more members are required to play the season in order for a championship to be determined.

Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M each opted out of the season following announcements that they were leaving the MEAC to join the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The other four members to opt out of spring 2021 action are Morgan State, North Carolina Central, Norfolk State, and North Carolina A&T.

Per the conference release, Delaware State, Howard, and South Carolina State each desire to play football this spring and have been allowed by the MEAC to do so.

“While it is tremendously disappointing to suspend the spring 2021 football season, it is the right decision with regards to the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans,” MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said. “As I have stated since the beginning of the pandemic, health and safety will continue to be at the forefront of every decision. We support those institutions who will continue to play.”

The MEAC released their original spring 2021 football schedule on October 22, 2020. That was followed by the first revised version on December 14, 2020 after Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M opted out and then another revised schedule on January 23, 2021 after North Carolina Central opted out.

With the spring 2021 season now suspended, the conference plans to “…move forward with plans for a fall 2021 season.”