The Baylor softball team will not take place in the Puerto Rico Sport Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, scheduled to run Feb. 11-13 to open the 2017 season, announced Tuesday morning by head coach Glenn Moore.
While monitoring the spread of the Zika virus and researching the risk to the student-athletes, it was determined that the risk to the team and staff was not worth any potential value from the games played.
Working with Baylor’s Center for Global Engagement, Baylor Athletics administration and health representatives, the conclusion was made that, although conditions could improve or the threat could be lessened, the time sensitivity with travel and rescheduling games called for an immediate decision.
With Georgia Tech, Illinois, and North Carolina all originally scheduled for the PR tournament, BU will look at all options to replace the quality tournament games with equally valuable contests in a more stable environment.
Statement from Baylor head coach Glenn Moore
“Over the past few weeks, we have been closely observing and researching the Zika virus as it pertains to our travel to Puerto Rico in February. There is concern for the safety of our student athletes in this environment. After meeting with Baylor’s Center for Global Engagement, as well as our administration, we have come to the conclusion that we should not attend this tournament. Conditions could improve, but the time to make the decision is now. With the current state, it would be a risk I’m not willing to take.”
