The collegiate athletics world was paused on March 12, 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the NCAA’s remaining winter and spring championship events. A full six months passed before any Skyhawk athletics team returned to action as the UT Martin rodeo and rifle teams officially opened the fall season. A limited number of fans attended their first game of the 2020-21 athletics season – socially distanced and with masks or face coverings – on Dec. 2 when the Skyhawk men’s basketball team defeated Evansville in a double overtime thriller at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center. All UT Martin teams created a “bubble” atmosphere to limit exposure to outside entities.
