Less than 24 hours after initially putting a travel ban on athletes taking part in NCAA Division III National Championships in other states, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse lifted that ban.
The concern was over spread of coronavirus.
UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow said conversations with members of the WIAC changed their mind.
“The conference and other institutions feel like we need to make these decisions in unison,” Gow said. “They shouldn’t be made by individual campuses. We respect that decision.”
There have been no reported cases of coronavirus in La Crosse County.
Gow explained what the message to student-athletes is now.
“We have indicated that we have concerns about this travel, and it may change where we learn you need to come back, but if you choose to go you can do that,” Gow said.
Gow said the conversations about banning travel were very brief and hurried, based on the timeline they had available.
UW-La Crosse wrestling, track and field and gymnastics teams have athletes competing at national tournaments this weekend.
Tuesday night, word began to spread that those teams would not be able to compete.
UW-L men’s track coach Josh Bucholtz said staff was notified around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night that UWL administration had suspended all non-essential university travel due to Coronavirus concerns.
In addition, Bucholtz said the baseball, softball and tennis programs would not compete in spring break trips.