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Dixie State cancels fall football, its first season as an FCS program

Greater Zion Stadium at Dixie State University is shown Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in St. George, Utah. Dixie State University is considering dropping Dixie from its name as another example of the nation’s reexamination of symbols associated with the Confederacy. (Chris Caldwell/The Spectrum via AP)

  | Aug. 12, 2020, 5:45 p.m.
| Updated: 5:49 p.m.

Dixie State will not begin its first season of Division I football on time this fall.

As expected, the first-year FCS independent postponed fall football on Wednesday morning, saying it would attempt to play in the spring if COVID-19 pandemic conditions improve.

Dixie State is the third football program from the state of Utah to have its season postponed. The Pac-12, which includes the University of Utah, postponed on Tuesday, while the Mountain West, which houses Utah State, postponed on Monday. FBS independent BYU has not yet postponed despite its schedule continuing to dwindle.

“As difficult as a decision like this is, it is the right call,” Trailblazers athletic director Dr. Jason Boothe said in a statement Wednesday morning. “There are so many factors involved, but our top priority that we cannot waiver on is the health and well-being of our student-athletes.”

As an FCS independent, the Trailblazers had a football schedule composed of FCS and Division II programs. The situation finally appeared untenable on Aug. 7 when the Big Sky Conference opted to postpone football. That move cost the Trailblazers games against Southern Utah, Montana State, Sacramento State and Weber State.

“We realize that with the recent news of conference cancellations it makes us having a significant challenge now,” Boothe told The Salt Lake Tribune one day before the Big Sky canceled with rumors flying. “However, we are exploring all available options to have a season. Our top priority is, and always will be, the health and safety of our student-athletes. Do we want to play? Yes, but only if we can do it safely and while providing a student-athlete experience that is a positive one for the team.”

Dixie State’s other 15 sports, which include men’s basketball, joined the WAC on July 1. The Trailblazers are eligible for WAC regular-season championships immediately, but will not be postseason-eligible until 2024-25, after the athletic department completes a four-year reclassification process.