Big Ten Postpones Fall Football Due to COVID-19
(photo courtesy of Purdue University)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Big Ten Conference announced the postponement of the 2020-21 fall sports season, including all regular and post-season games and tournaments, due to ongoing health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This includes the Big Ten Championship football game held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The decision directly impacts Indiana University and Purdue University and the communities in which they are located.
“Our primary responsibility is to make the best possible decisions in the interest of our students, faculty and staff,” said Morton Schapiro, chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors and Northwestern University President.
The sports impacted by the decision include football, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball.
“The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward,” said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren. “As time progressed and after hours of discussion with our Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee, it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall.
The Big Ten said it will continue to evaluate a number of options regarding these sports, including the possibility of competition in the spring.
Decisions regarding winter and spring sports will also continue to be evaluated.
To read the Big Ten announcement, click here.