Madison, SD (NSAA)– The NAIA announced the changes to the 2020 fall sports season on June 4, due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The changes include a return to play ‘threshold’, a short delay to starting the season and a reduction tin the number of contests allowed.
“The NAIA’s announcement on the reduction of regular-season contests from 11 to 9 signaled a need for us to examine our schedule options for each North Star football program,” said North Star Athletic Association conference commissioner Cory Anderson. “The uncertainly of some non-conference opponents’ commitment to returning to face-to-face instruction or their own limitations, necessitated a need for us to create a stable 9-game North Star schedule.” (The Paint Bucket game between UJ and VCSU may be rescheduled at the end of the regular season.)
All sports can begin their team practices on Aug. 15.
The originally scheduled 7-game North Star schedule will stay intact while adding 2 additional games within the conference membership, beginning on the first allowable date to play on September 12.
“While not the best scenario for our teams, our coaches are comfortable and confident with knowing they have a solid 9-game schedule and are making the best of a tenuous off-season,” added Anderson.
Currently, the NAIA intends to host all fall national championship events as currently scheduled.
Below is the 9-game North Star football conference schedule for the 2020 season (all nine games will be counted as NSAA contest):
September 12
Dickinson State (N.D.) @ Dakota State (S.D.)
Valley City State (N.D.) @ Presentation (S.D.)
Waldorf (Iowa) @ Mayville State (N.D.)
September 19
Dakota State (S.D.) @ Presentation (S.D.)
Waldorf (Iowa) @ Valley City State (N.D.)
Mayville State (N.D.) @ Dickinson State (N.D.)
September 26
Presentation (S.D.) @ Waldorf (Iowa)
Dakota State (S.D.) @ Mayville State (N.D.)
Valley City State (N.D.) @ Dickinson State (N.D.)
October 3
Waldorf (Iowa) @ Dakota State (S.D.)
Dickinson State (N.D.) @ Presentation (S.D.)
Mayville State (N.D.) @ Valley City State (N.D.)
October 10
Mayville State (N.D.) @ Waldorf (Iowa)
Presentation (S.D.) @ Valley City State (N.D.)
Dakota State (S.D.) @ Dickinson State (N.D.)
October 17
Valley City State (N.D.) @ Waldorf (Iowa)
Presentation (S.D.) @ Dakota State (S.D.)
Dickinson State (N.D.) @ Mayville State (N.D.)
October 24
Valley City State (N.D.) @ Dakota State (S.D.)
Mayville State (N.D.) @ Presentation (S.D.)
Waldorf (Iowa) @ Dickinson State (N.D.)
October 31
Mayville State (N.D.) @ Dakota State (S.D.)
Waldorf (Iowa) @ Presentation (S.D.)
Dickinson State (N.D.) @ Valley City State (N.D.)
November 7
Dakota State (S.D.) @ Waldorf (Iowa)
Valley City State (N.D.) @ Mayville State (N.D.)
Presentation (S.D.) @ Dickinson State (N.D.)
Nick Huntimer, North Star Athletic Association Sports Information Director
