Arizona State announced Sunday they are redshirting their entire men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams for the 2020-21 seasons amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Did Arizona State’s swimming and diving program just start a trend in college sports? We might soon find out.

The Sun Devils made the startling announcement Sunday that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are redshirting their entire men’s and women’s teams for the 2020-21 seasons, basically taking the year off to train and then trying again in 2021-22 in what should be a healthier climate.

Arizona State coach Bob Bowman, who coached mega-star Michael Phelps throughout his career and currently trains Olympians Allison Schmitt and Hali Flickinger, told his team Sunday afternoon in a Zoom call. He said the response was “very positive.”

“It’s been real tough for four months,” Bowman told Sports Illustrated. “The hardest part is no clarity, about anything. All our swimmers lost