Big Ten (Allegedly) Cancels 2020 Fall Football Season
By: Dakota Isgrigg | August 10th | @dakota_isgrigg | @BoilerInTexas
Update (8/11 - 2pm cst/3pm est): The Big Ten has officially postponed the 2020-21 Fall sports season, including all regular season contests and Big Ten Championships and Tournaments.
Full Statement from the Big Ten: https://bigten.org/news/2020/8/11/general-big-ten-statement-on-2020-21-fall-season.aspx
This is extremely disappointing news as the United States and colleges around the country continue to measure and analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the academic and athletic programs at each university.
It is unclear as of now what the plan is moving forward, but what we do know is that they will continue to monitor the pandemic and look at every option. Presumably, the next goal would be to have some form of spring season.
But, unfortunately there will be no fall sports in the Big Ten in 2020.
Update (8/10 - 12:30pm): There have been reports of members of the Big Ten speaking out against this report and denying that any vote or decision has been made. So it would seem that while grim, the season has not been officially condemned as of right now. Either way, the season is absolutely on the brink.
Well. Here we are again. According to reports from the Detroit Free Press, the Big Ten and the PAC-12 have decided to cancel the fall 2020 college football season. The B1G presidents reportedly voted 12-2 in favor of canceling fall sports with only Nebraska and Iowa voting in opposition.
In other leagues we have already seen lower-tier conferences and schools individually. We saw that the MAC announced on Saturday that they would postpone fall sports until the spring. Will the Big Ten follow suit? I believe that will be the plan and I for one hope that the public and these institutions have a chance to get some procedures in place to ensure the safety of fans, players, and coaches. Hopefully if they do play in the spring, there will be more opportunity for fans to attend in person.
There is some weird hope that football will be played in the fall as the ACC and Big-12 are still on the fence on whether to move forward or not. And in SEC country, apparently they are trying to work on exclusive TV contracts and attempting to persuade teams from other conferences to join them for the season in the fall.
No matter what happens, I for one just want to see football played with everyone on board and the long-term health of all the players and coaches are ensured for the long run. As a blogger that covers Purdue sports (and one that started during the height of all this pandemic uncertainty) I would be disappointed that we have to wait that much longer. But, a bright side that many on social media have pointed out is that if college football is postponed until the spring, there is a situation where we could have college football and college basketball taking place at the same time. Interesting thought!
How do you feel about this decision by the Big Ten?
As always, Boiler Up, Hammer Down, Hail Purdue!
