One day after the Ivy League announced it was canceling all fall sports, including football, the Big Ten Conference announced it will play conference-only games in fall sports “if” it is able to play and is “prepared not to play.”
“As we continue to focus on how to play this season in a safe and responsible way, based on the best advice of medical experts, we are also prepared not to play in order to ensure the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes should the circumstances so dictate,” the Big Ten said in the last paragraph of a statement.
The first part of the statement announced the league would play conference-only games in the fall “if the conference is able to participate in fall sports.”
“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,” the statement begins.
“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.”
Stadium’s Brett McMurphy reported the ACC may also play a conference-only schedule, but that no “official” decision has been made.
Michigan State is due to host Miami on Sept. 26.
Earlier Thursday, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum said the college football season was “slipping away.”
“I think it’s about time the commissioners and athletic directors and football coaches start dealing with the reality, and the reality is that the college football season is slipping away,” he said on “First Take.”
“They can hold on hope but if you look at what is going on in the country, it is dreadful news.”
Finebaum also pointed out that both North Carolina (where 37 people in the athletic department tested positive) and Ohio State have shut down athletics temporarily.
“It was the worst day college athletics has had since that March day (March 12) when the whole world shut down, and I don’t really see it getting any better,” he added of Wednesday.
Finebaum added that it’s realistic to think there could be college football in the spring.
“Yes, I think it could be easier because by then there could be a vaccine, therapeutics will be better and I think the country will be farther along,” he said.
This story was updated to reflect the ACC news.
I’m a Basketball and Tennis insider who contributes to The New York Times, NJ Advance Media and newspapers nationwide. I am also the author of two books and an
I’m a Basketball and Tennis insider who contributes to The New York Times, NJ Advance Media and newspapers nationwide. I am also the author of two books and an award-winning filmmaker. My family lives in Manhattan with our dog.