After plenty of rumor and innuendo, the Big Ten announced today that if fall sports happen, it will move to a conference-only schedule due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This includes your beloved football season.
The decision to move to a conference-only schedule comes after a number of positive COVID-19 tests across college campuses with the return of collegiate athletes.
Here is the full statement released by the Big Ten today:
“We are facing uncertain and unprecedented times, and the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, game officials, and others associated with our sports programs and campuses remain our number one priority.
To that end, the Big Ten Conference announced today that if the Conference is able to participate in fall sports (men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball) based on medical advice, it will move to Conference-only schedules in those sports. Details for these sports will be released at a later date, while decisions on sports not listed above will continue to be evaluated. By limiting competition to other Big Ten institutions, the Conference will have the greatest flexibility to adjust its own operations throughout the season and make quick decisions in real-time based on the most current evolving medical advice and the fluid nature of the pandemic.”
Pay attention to the part of this statement that says “if the Conference is able to participate in fall sports”. It seems the Big Ten is ready to shut down all of the fall sports if the pandemic continues spiraling out of control. We’ll just have to wait and see at this point.
There has been no decision on what happens with non-conference games just yet. We’ll keep you posted as more information is made available.
