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Big Ten postpones 2020 football season to spring 2021

The Big Ten is postponing all fall sports, including the 2020 football season and all championships and tournaments, due to ongoing health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic

The announcement today came after a few days of drama, with the decision under discussion by university presidents and opposed by high-profile coaches like Jim Harbaugh and Scott Frost. In the end, their objections did not carry the day; hence today’s announcement.

According to a league announcement, the Big Ten Conference relied on the medical advice and counsel of the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee.

“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 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.
 
“We know how significant the student-athlete experience can be in shaping the future of the talented young women and men who compete in the Big Ten Conference. Although that knowledge made this a painstaking decision, it did not make it difficult. While I know our decision today will be disappointing in many ways for our thousands of student-athletes and their families, I am heartened and inspired by their resilience, their insightful and discerning thoughts, and their participation through our conversations to this point. Everyone associated with the Big Ten Conference and its member institutions is committed to getting everyone back to competition as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Also included in this decision: men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. 

RELATED STORIES: Mountain West postpones 2020 football season; MAC postpones 2020 football season; Power 5 may follow suit2020 college football season in flux; New 2020 SEC schedule: delayed season start, conference-only games; Big Ten cuts nonconference games from 2020 football season; Could 2020 college football season be delayed to spring 2021?; More schools announce in-person fall semesters as planning for NCAA football season continues; Surprise: We may see NCAA football this fallEmmert: Colleges need to open before NCAA sports resumeTrump: 2020 NFL season should start in September

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