Big Ten Announces Football, Fall Sports Move to Conference Only Schedule

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Big Ten Conference announced on Thursday afternoon that all fall sports, including football will follow a conference only schedule in 2020. “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” read a release from the conference.

The news was first reported by Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic and is the latest domino to fall in a week that has seen the Ivy League cancel all fall sports.

This means that the Hoosiers games against Western Kentucky (9/12), Ball State (9/19) and Connecticut (9/26) are off the table. It is unknown if those games will be made up at a later date.

The move, which centers the heath and safety of student-athletes and staff, is said to give the conference more flexibility. “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.

This decision was made following many thoughtful conversations over several months between the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, Directors of Athletics, Conference Office staff, and medical experts including the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee” the Big Ten said.

Despite moving to a conference only fall schedule, “summer athletic activities will continue to be voluntary in all sports currently permitted to engage in such activities.”

“Furthermore, Big Ten student-athletes who choose not to participate in intercollegiate athletics at any time during the summer and/or the 2020-21 academic year due to concerns about COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarship honored by their institution and will remain in good standing with their team” according to the release

Scott Dolson, Indiana’s new athletic director released a statement on the Big Ten’s announcement:
“Throughout this process the health and safety of our students, coaches, staff and fans has been our number one priority, and I want to thank Commissioner Warren for his leadership as we navigate these unprecedented and challenging times. I also appreciate the tremendous support and patience that our fans continue to display as we map out the best path to be able to move forward safely. Along with my fellow Big Ten athletic directors, we know that there remain many questions that still need to be answered, and we will work toward finding those answers in the coming weeks.”