Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren on Wednesday released an open letter to the conference community stating that the vote of the Big Ten’s Council of Presidents and Chancellors “was overwhelming in support of the postponement of falls and will not be re-attempted.”
“The decision was thorough and deliberative, and based on sound feedback, guidance and advice from medical experts,” Warren wrote in his first public remarks since announcing the league’s decision on August 11th. “Despite the decision to suspend bankruptcy sports, we continue our work to find a way forward that creates a healthy and safe environment for all Big Ten student-athletes to compete in the sports that they hold up in a way that helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protects both student-athletes and the surrounding communities. “
The Big Ten has to deal with significant delays over the timing of the decision, which came just six days after the league announced its 10-game, only conference schedule on the Big Ten Network. Coaches, athletic directors, fans and parents have expressed public and private frustration and annoyance at a lack of communication and explanation on the over-face.
“We understand the disappointment and questions about the timing of our decision to suspend bankruptcy sports, especially in light of the release of a football schedule just six days before that decision,” Warren wrote. “From the beginning, we have consistently communicated our commitment to carefully continue one day at a time with the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes at the center of our decision-making. Therefore, we simultaneously took paths in releasing the football scheme, while also closely monitored the spread of the virus, testing, and medical concerns as student-athletes transitioned to full-contact practice. “
Warren cited “too much medical uncertainty and too many unknown health risks regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection,” and its impact on student-athletes. He listed several primary factors in the presidents’ decision, including the “alarming rate” of transmission rates, a concern about the return of the general student body, and concerns about traces of contacts. He also wrote that, “because our teams stepped up for intensive practices, many of our medical staff did not think the interventions we had planned would be enough to reduce the potential spread, even with very regular testing.”
The Big Ten has compiled a proceeds to league task forces that will plan to restore fall sports competition “as soon as possible.”
“When evaluating winter / spring models, we will look at many factors, including the number of football matches that can be reasonably played from a health perspective in an entire calendar year, while maintaining a premium competitive experience for our student athletes, who finish at a Big Ten Championship, “Warren wrote. “The Big Ten Conference will continue to gather feedback from student-athletes, families, and other constituencies and remain in active conversations with its television partners about all future plans.”
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