The Big Ten postpones fall football, then restores it: Scott Frost said “We want to play no matter who it is or where it is”
“it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty,” Kevin Warren said. “great news for our team,” Lovie Smith said.
Published Aug 10, 2020 to Sep 16, 2020.
The record
- Vote to resume, per the Big Ten as published by Illinois Athletics
- unanimous, starting the weekend of October 23-24Illinois Athletics, Sep 16, 2020
Quotes
The conferences
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.
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.
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,
Wanted to play
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.
Lovie Smith, Illinois head coach
The return of Big Ten football is great news for our team and all our Fighting Illini football fans
Defended the call, felt the loss
Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin athletic director
Just a hollow feeling. This is going to be probably the toughest fall I’ve ever gone through.
Michael Schill, Oregon president
We would have made this decision independent of the Big Ten.
Associated Press, via Local 12 (WKRC)
Josh Whitman, Illinois athletic director
Today's announcement brings many emotions
Reports
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.
Associated Press
A court filing disclosed Monday shows Big Ten Conference presidents voted 11-3 to postpone the football season
Sources
- Illinois Athletics, Sep 16, 2020
“Big Ten Football Returns with Fall Season - University of Illinois Athletics”
Illinois Athletics' release
- WMTV, Aug 10, 2020
“Big Ten announces that the fall season is postponed”
Frost on Zoom Monday, August 10, the day before the announcement, as printed by WMTV
The Big Ten's statement, as printed by WMTV
- 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)
- 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
- 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