Cross country, field hockey, football, soccer, and women’s volleyball are the sports impacted by the decision.
In its announcement, the Big Ten Conference said it will continue to evaluate a number of options regarding these sports, including the possibility of competition in the spring, and decisions regarding winter and spring sports will continue to be evaluated.
First-year Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren cited “too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks” in making the decision.
“The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward,” Warren said.
“As time progressed and after hours of discussion with our Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee, it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall.
“We know how significant the student-athlete experience can be in shaping the future of the talented young women and men who compete in the Big Ten Conference. Although that knowledge made this a painstaking decision, it did not make it difficult. While I know our decision today will be disappointing in many ways for our thousands of student-athletes and their families, I am heartened and inspired by their resilience, their insightful and discerning thoughts, and their participation through our conversations to this point. Everyone associated with the Big Ten Conference and its member institutions is committed to getting everyone back to competition as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Ohio State Buckeyes coach Ryan Day calls for season delay, not cancellation @MarcusHartman https://t.co/0s1EcYb30o
— Dayton Daily News (@daytondailynews) August 11, 2020
FIRST REPORT:
For the second day in a row, Big Ten football reportedly has been canceled for the fall.
Multiple outlets reported Tuesday afternoon the league voted to cancel fall sports.
Sources: Big Ten is announcing that the fall is cancelled. League will attempt to play in the spring.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 11, 2020
The Big Ten is postponing its fall season to the spring, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 11, 2020
The Detroit Free Press reported Monday the league leaders had voted to cancel the fall athletics season, but that was later refuted by multiple other reports and the league office.
Ohio State was scheduled to begin the season Sept. 3 at Illinois.
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