(INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Oct. 13) – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced the unanimous vote by the GLVC Council of Presidents for the shortened football schedule of the 2021 spring season.

*portions of this release were provided by the GLVC official release.

The schedule features new elements including a season-opening countable scrimmage, divisional play, and the league's first-ever GLVC Championship game. All are implemented to ensure the league's safe return to play competition during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to host the GLVC Championship Game for the first time in league history," said GLVC Commissioner Jim Naumovich. "Our spring divisional schedule will afford us the chance to bring our top seeds together to compete for a league title on April 24 and provide a unique experience for our student-athletes."

For the first time in the nine-year history of GLVC football, the official season will be held in the spring semester with a divisional schedule that includes a three-game, single round-robin format.

Competing in the East Division are University of Indianapolis, Lindenwood University, McKendree University, and Quincy University.

Competing in the West Division are Missouri S&T, Southwest Baptist University, Truman State University and William Jewell College.

The 2021 season begins with an interdivision scrimmage on Saturday, March 27.

The three weeks of divisional play will be held the weeks of April 3, 10, and 17.

The fifth and final week of the season is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, and each team will play its seeded counterpart from the other division. It will be highlighted by the top-seeded teams from each division facing off for the GLVC Championship. Each division's second-place team will battle for third place overall, while the No.3 and No.4 teams will face for the fifth and seventh places, respectively.

Additionally, spectators will not be allowed to attend competitions.

"Health and safety of our student-athletes and the University community remains a priority," said Interim Athletic Director Anthony Francis. "We will continue to monitor the situation and revisit this decision regularly."

The 2021 spring season schedule follows:
Saturday, Mar. 27 – Scrimmages
Missouri S&T @ Indianapolis
William Jewell @ Quincy
McKendree @ Truman State
Lindenwood @ Southwest Baptist
 
Saturday, April 3
Indianapolis @ Quincy
Lindenwood @ McKendree
Missouri S&T @ William Jewell
Truman State @ Southwest Baptist
 
Saturday, April 10
Indianapolis @ Lindenwood
Quincy @ McKendree
William Jewell @ Truman State
Southwest Baptist @ Missouri S&T
 
Saturday, April 17
McKendree @ Indianapolis
Quincy @ Lindenwood
Southwest Baptist @ William Jewell
Truman State @ Missouri S&T
 
Saturday, April 24 – GLVC Championship
#1 West @ #1 East
#2 East @ #2 West
#3 West @ #3 East
#4 East @ #4 West