WASHINGTON – The government shutdown will extend to college athletics.
The Defense Department Tuesday suspended all intercollegiate sports competitions at all service academies.
That means Tuesday night’s planned soccer match between Navy and Howard has been cancelled, according to the Naval Academy’s athletics department.
However its unclear whether the order will also cancel Saturday’s sold out game between Navy and Air Force in Annapolis. A decision is expected by noon Thursday, according to Navy.
About 400,000 civilian defense workers – about half of all defense civilian employees – are set to be furloughed during the shutdown. However Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is hoping to allow some of those workers to stay on the job.
Active-duty military are exempt from the furloughs and will continue to work and students at the Naval Academy will continue to attend classes. However civilian instructors will be furloughed and some classes could be cancelled, according to the Naval Academy.
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