USTFCCCA announces that award ceremony will not be included as part of annual convention, which is scheduled for Dec. 14-17 in Denver; First time since inception of award in 2009 there won’t be honorees

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

For the first time since the trophy’s inception in 2009, the Bowerman Award will not be presented to the top men’s and women’s collegiate track and field athletes this year, according to an announcement made Thursday by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

“After evaluating all aspects, we decided it is prudent to forgo our normal procedures associated with naming winners for The Bowerman for the 2020 track and field seasons,” USTFCCCA CEO Sam Seemes said in a press release. “This decision did not come easily. The presentation of The Bowerman has become a marquee event, and I’m disappointed we are unable to celebrate the outstanding, world-class student-athletes that made a mark on the collegiate track and field landscape this year.”

Since the entire spring outdoor season was canceled, in addition to the indoor track and field championships in March, a decision by the USTFCCCA and the Bowerman committee was considered to be impractical, considering they use the performances from both seasons to make their selections.

The Bowerman presentation is expected to return in 2021, beginning with preseason watch lists in January.

The awards have been presented to the top collegiate male and female track and field athletes annually at the USTFCCCA Convention in December. Although the award ceremony won’t take place this year, the USTFCCCA Convention is still scheduled for Dec. 14-17 in Denver.

Grant Holloway of Florida and Sha’Carri Richardson of Louisiana State were the Bowerman honorees last year, marking the second athletes from each university to be recognized. Marquis Dendy was Florida’s first honoree in 2015 and Kimberlyn Duncan was LSU’s first selection in 2012.