A popular sentiment I hear on CB is that universities and conferences that cancel sports due to COVID are falling in line with the "cancel culture". TBH, I've had a hard time understanding this perspective until I realized that everyone's experience with COVID to this point has been quite different. I live in Washington state and have been cooped in my house for 5 months now. Working from home is horrible when you've got a bunch of kids at home. There are some exceptions, but for the most part, everyone in Washington is super focused on reducing the spread of COVID. Everyone wears a mask, everywhere. Personally, I haven't been able to do the sports I love (basketball, volleyball) for 5 months now. As a bishop, I haven't been able to associate with the youth or other ward members — which really stinks. Per governor mandate, we're only allowed to have get-togethers with a max of 5 people and only for approved activities. The idea of Univ of Washington playing football, for example, sounds absurd. Of course not. Why would we all be sacrificing so much to limit social interaction, but then college kids are allowed to play football? There would be a huge public outcry. Definitely no surprise on my part that the Pac-12 canceled this season. I'm sure California residents feel the same.

Compare this with other places, like Utah, where I hear things are quite relaxed. People's lives haven't nearly been affected the same way. I'm realizing that experience with COVID, and not politics, is the primary reason for the differences in opinion.

Every university/conference president has a difficult decision to make. Everyone wants football to happen. Everyone wants to support players, coaches, and parents — but there are so many other factors to consider. An important one is public sentiment. If you're in Nebraska, people care a LOT about football and are less concerned about COVID. That tips the balance to "let's play!". If you're here in Washington, people care less about football, but are super concerned about COVID. That tips the balance in the other direction.

Anyways, just wanted to share my thoughts since it seems different than popular opinion on this board.