Grace baseball and the entire NAIA found out Monday its spring season has been canceled after new guidelines were set by the CDC. (File photo by Mike Deak)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Effective on Monday, the NAIA and Crossroads League has canceled the remainder of the spring sports season.

The NAIA made the decision on Monday afternoon, prematurely ending the competitions, practices and team meetings for Grace baseball, softball, track/field, golf and tennis.

“All possible scenarios that would have supported a spring sports season were seriously considered by multiple NAIA governance groups,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. “However, the growing state of emergency due to COVID-19, as well as the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation yesterday to limit gatherings to fewer than 50 people for eight weeks, meant we could not in good conscience move forward with the spring sports season and championships.”

The NAIA did announce that all spring student-athletes will be granted another season of eligibility. Any spring sport student-athlete who was enrolled full-time in 2020 will be awarded two additional semester terms of attendance.

“This decision is truly heartbreaking for our student-athletes, but the safety and well-being of our Lancer family will always remain a top priority,” said Grace Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe. “We stand by the NAIA’s decision, and we pray for our student-athletes and coaches affected by this unfortunate situation.”