University of Nebraska officials confirmed the school’s commitment to the Big Ten Conference on Thursday, and effectively speculated speculation that the Cornhuskers may ignore the conference’s decision to suspend all bankruptcy sports and pursue other options for his football program.
“The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a full-fledged member of the Big Ten Conference,” School Chancellor Ronnie Green and President Ted Carter said in a joint statement. “It is an unparalleled athletic and academic alliance.”
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“We have the biggest fans in university athletics. This has been a difficult and disappointing week for the Husker family. We are all looking forward to the day we can rejoice in our student-athletes, on the field and in the arena, ”added Green and Carter.
Earlier this week, the Big Ten Conference said it would suspend all bankruptcy sports, including football, out of concern for the health of student-athletes during the coronavirus pandemic. In an initial response to the proposal, Nebraska said it was “very disappointed in the decision” on falling football, adding that the school’s student-athletes “have been and remain ready to play.”
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Scott Frost, head coach of Nebraska, has publicly pleaded for the football season to continue in one way or another. Frost said the school was “ready to look at all the options,” including playing with teams from other conferences, as the Big Ten went ahead with the postponement.
A Nebraska representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren said he expects conference members of the conference to honor their decision to postpone bankruptcy sports.
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“My expectation is that if you’re in a conference, you can not be at a conference and be an independent. That’s where we are. I expect our 14 members to move forward together,” Warren said.
So far, two of the NCAA’s “Power Five” conferences, the Big Ten and the Pac-12, have all postponed bankruptcy sports after consultation with administrators and public health experts. The Big East Conference, home to several college basketball teams, also delayed fall sports this week, but noted that the decision would not yet affect basketball season.
The other three Power Five conferences – the ACC, Big 12 and SEC – have indicated they intend to play football and other sports this fall.
