The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, an NCAA Division II conference, plans to begin fall sports in 2020.

Fall practice will begin Aug. 24 and competition is scheduled to start Sept. 18 for all fall sports. The decision Monday comes as conferences across the U.S. have either postponed or canceled fall sports because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The RMAC also announced a conference-only schedule for football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball, while golf and cross-country will be able to attend non-conference meets.

The announcement came after another meeting of the RMAC Presidents Council. A vote was originally planned July 16, but the council opted to delay the decision as the landscape of college sports continued to evolve regarding the pandemic. The vote was similar to the decision announced by the Lone Star Conference last Friday. The RMAC and Lone Star Conference both compete in the NCAA Division II South Central Region.

July 16, the NCAA announced all athletes should be tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of each competition.

"The (Presidents Council) reviewed current local, state and national COVID-19 guidelines, including the (NCAA) guidances and principles, and agreed that closely aligning with these current best practices was essential to maintain a safe a healthy playing environment," the RMAC said in a statement Monday afternoon. "Review of safety precautions and protocols will continue throughout the fall as the RMAC and its members monitor any need for further adjustments."