Both the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Anchorage athletic programs are a “go” for the 2020-21 season, a decision made by UA President Jim Johnsen, UAF Chancellor Dan White and UAA Chancellor Cathy Sandeen, that was later announced at the UA Board of Regents meeting Friday.

"I could tell that those of us who are heavily invested in athletics, those of us who are accountable to and responsible for our students and their families and our coaching staff and student-athletes, we were joyed about it." UAF Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Athletics Keith Champagne said.

This comes after an uncertain summer, where neither universities knew whether or not they would proceed with athletics until August 2, just weeks before fall sports began.

The news Friday gives the sports programs relief, knowing they will not have to spend another summer telling their athletes “we don’t know” in response to questions about UA Athletics. “It has been great to see the two Chancellors work together, we are just going to have them provide the documentation and answer the questions the Board [of Regents] has for the discussions and deliberations about athletics. We are going to continue to move forward in a positive direction and be very optimistic about our future."

UAF operates 10 sports (Men’s Hockey, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Skiing, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Running, Women’s Swimming, and Co-ed Rifle) while UAA participates in 11 (Men’s Hockey, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Skiing, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Running, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Women’s Gymnastics).