‘Obviously yesterday was a real somber day,’ Utah’s Mark Harlan says of Pac-12 postponing sports

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah athletic director Mark Harlan addressed a variety of topics on Wednesday during a media session, one day after the Pac-12 announced it would postpone all sports competition through the end of the 2020 calendar year due to health concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Harlan called the Pac-12’s medical advice “fantastic,” while also acknowledging the gravity of the situation.

In addition to canceling the fall sports schedule, the move also nixes any Pac-12 play in winter sports before Jan. 1, 2021, including presumably the BYU-Utah basketball game, which was scheduled for Dec. 12.

Not having college football during the fall at the University of Utah for the first time since 1918 will have a significant financial impact as well.

Harlan addressed the difficulties and questions surrounding the student-athletes affected by the pandemic and the decisions it’s led to:

The university is in the process of renovating the south end zone at Rice-Eccles Stadium, and Harlan gave an update on its progress.