UW-La Crosse, Viterbo, Western postpone, cancel sports seasons

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University have postponed the start of winter sports, while Western Tech has cancelled both winter and spring sports for the season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision for UW-L, Viterbo comes as a recommendation from the Coulee COVID-19 Collaborative to postpone all in-person sports for 30 days.

La Crosse County suffered its 33rd death Monday — 28th since Oct. 1. The county is averaging 136 cases per day with a 33% positivity rate among those tested over the past week.

UW-La Crosse will postpone sports through the semester, while Viterbo stated it will postpone through Dec. 27.

“While this decision was not made lightly, the safety of all students and staff has to and will be our top priority,” Viterbo athletic director Barry Fried wrote in a statement.

“The current COVID-19 pandemic in the La Crosse community is concerning, so with that in mind, all athletically-related activities will be suspended for the rest of the fall semester,” a statement from UW-L said.

Meanwhile, WTC’s announcement ends both men’s and women’s basketball, as well as baseball for the rest of the school year.

“While we are certainly disappointed with the news, the health and well-being of our student athletes and staff must remain a top priority,” WTC athletic director Ryan Monroe wrote in a statement. “Throughout this difficult time, the Athletics Department is here to support our student athletes and coaches.”