ORANGEBURG, SC—After two more Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) teams opted out of the upcoming four-game spring football season, the South Carolina State University Athletics Department has announced the Bulldogs will compete during a home and home conference and non-conference Spring football schedule. 

In a statement released Thursday, the MEAC announced its decision to suspend spring football due to the rising numbers of state and local COVID -19 cases. Each state has a different set of requirements that lead to an array of COVID-19 travel restrictions for MEAC institutions, which created an arduous challenge for the conference. As a result, the MEAC decided to allow individual member institutions to do what is best for their student-athletes and university community. 

The conference stated:
Several MEAC institutions will play spring football. At this point, Delaware State University, Howard University, and South Carolina State University have all expressed an intent to do so. Those institutions will follow the ongoing protocols they have outlined at their schools and continue to align with the CDC guidelines and the NCAA's health and safety provisions that have guided collegiate athletics throughout the academic year.

Administrators and head coaches of the remaining conference schools are working diligently to secure a spring schedule by the end of the week. 

 "We consulted with our team doctors, medical professionals, coaches and student-athletes and have determined that we are able to compete this spring in all of our remaining sports including football," said SC State Athletics Director Stacy Danley.  "As we move forward we will continue to make decisions based in the best interest of student-athletes' health and safety." 

 According to university medical officials, the Bulldog teams will continue a rigorous testing regimen to help keep the student-athletes and coaching staff healthy.

 "SC State University's student-athletes undergo regular COVID-19 testing weekly," said Craig Harward, director of sports medicine. "As of today, the football team has zero positive tests."