Football | 3/13/2021 12:45:00 PM

STORM LAKE, Iowa (March 13, 2021) - Buena Vista University (BVU) Athletics has announced details for its first, long-awaited football competition of the year in a scrimmage against Simpson College at BVU's Peterson Field on March 26, 2021.
 
The competition was previously slated to serve as an American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) game, but with the elimination of Conference championships and the complexities of game logistics brought on by COVID-19, BVU Football will reserve official conference competition for fall 2021.
 
"Our top priority is always the safety of our student-athletes," says BVU Director of Athletics Jack Denholm. "In football, we must take into consideration the sport's typical roster size and the complex logistics game competition requires—paired with the current health status of our team."
 
Denholm discussed the forthcoming season with the A-R-C and member athletic directors in early March and received support for the decision from all parties. BVU Football will still proceed with plans on the road this spring, scrimmaging Nebraska Wesleyan University and Central College.
 
Like many A-R-C schools, BVU has conducted rapid COVID-19 tests on student-athletes throughout the spring semester, which will continue throughout the football season. Any positive COVID-19 case among BVU's student-athletes, coaches, game officials, and volunteers would result in significant game interference and possible game cancelation. The same guidelines stand for opposing schools.
 
BVU Head Football Coach Grant Mollring says, "We are looking forward to the chance to continue our development as a program this spring. The chance to compete against a few of our A-R-C member schools is something we are excited about."
 
Due to NCAA policy, 2020-21 student-athletes have an additional year of eligibility, meaning many senior football players will return to the lakeside campus in the fall for a fifth year of play.
 
Tailgating on University grounds will not be permitted in accordance with COVID-19 protocol and policies, but fans are welcome to attend the upcoming scrimmage versus Simpson in accordance with the Outdoor Sports Fan Attendance Policy.