The Big Ten postpones its fall football season, then votes to play it after all
On August 11, 2020, the Big Ten and the Pac-12 said they would not play football that fall because of concerns about COVID-19. On September 16, the conference’s presidents and chancellors voted unanimously to resume the 2020 football season, starting the weekend of October 23-24.
Michael Schill, Oregon president
We would have made this decision independent of the Big Ten.
Associated Press, via Local 12 (WKRC)
Day by day
- Aug 10, 2020Nebraska’s head coach said on Monday, the day before the decision, that his school was committed to playing.
- Aug 19, 20209 days laterThe Big Ten’s commissioner wrote that the presidents’ vote would not be revisited.
- Aug 31, 202012 days laterA court filing disclosed that the presidents had voted 11-3 to postpone.
- Sep 16, 202016 days laterIllinois’s head coach said the return of Big Ten football was great news for his team.
The day
Kevin Warren, Big Ten commissioner
… it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall.
Reaction
Through Sep 16, 2020
Wanted a fall season
Lovie Smith, Illinois head coach
The return of Big Ten football is great news for our team and all our Fighting Illini football fans …
Reports or reacts without taking a side
Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin athletic director
Just a hollow feeling. This is going to be probably the toughest fall I’ve ever gone through.
Associated Press
The Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences won’t play football this fall because of concerns about COVID-19.
The Big Ten first announced on August 11 that they were postponing all fall sports.
Show the other quotes
Associated Press
A court filing disclosed Monday shows Big Ten Conference presidents voted 11-3 to postpone the football season …
Josh Whitman, Illinois athletic director
Today’s announcement brings many emotions …
A conference or school’s own statement
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference announced today that the Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) voted unanimously to resume the 2020 football season starting the weekend of October 23-24.
Illinois Athletics, Sep 16, 2020
The Big Ten’s announcement, as published by Illinois Athletics
Larry Scott, Pac-12 commissioner
This was an extremely difficult and painful decision that we know will have important impacts on our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and our fans
Associated Press, via Local 12 (WKRC)
Kevin Warren, Big Ten commissioner
… overwhelmingly in support of postponing fall sports and will not be revisited.
Show the last quote
Jim Borchers, Ohio State head team physician and Return to Competition Task Force medical subcommittee co-chair
Everyone associated with the Big Ten should be very proud of the groundbreaking steps that are now being taken to better protect the health and safety of the student-athletes and surrounding communities
Background
Earlier statements
Before the decision
Scott Frost, Nebraska head coach
Our University is committed to playing no matter what, no matter what that looks like and how that looks. We want to play no matter who it is or where it is.
Related
The 2020 season in the pandemic
- The Big Ten postpones fall football, then restores itThis page
- Aug 11, 2020The Pac-12 postpones football, then votes to play
- Aug 21, 2020The NCAA’s extra year of eligibility for fall athletes
- Nov 7, 2020Notre Dame 47, Clemson 40
- Dec 9, 2020The Big Ten drops its six-game rule
- Same coach: Scott Frost’s coaching record
- More: All of History
- Same quotes, as a list
Sources
News and releases
- Local 12 (WKRC), Aug 12, 2020
“Ohio State coach Ryan Day shares perspective as Big Ten, Pac-12 postpone seasons”
Associated Press, via Local 12 (WKRC)
- WMTV, Aug 11, 2020
“Big Ten announces that the fall season is postponed”
The Big Ten’s statement, as printed by WMTV
Frost on Zoom Monday, August 10, the day before the announcement, as printed by WMTV
CBS Sports, Aug 19, 2020“Big Ten football: Latest news, timeline as presidents vote to start season up in October”
Warren’s open letter of August 19, as quoted by CBS Sports
ClickOnDetroit, Aug 31, 2020“Big Ten presidents voted 11-3 to cancel fall football season”
Associated Press, via ClickOnDetroit
- Illinois Athletics, Sep 16, 2020
“Big Ten Football Returns with Fall Season - University of Illinois Athletics”
Illinois Athletics’ release
Sports Illustrated, Sep 16, 2020“Big Ten Votes to Reinstate Fall Sports, Football Season Begins October 24”
Borchers’s statement in the Big Ten’s announcement, as printed by Sports Illustrated’s Ohio State site