Fall Saturdays for college football fans across the Midwest have officially freed up. The same applies to passionate supporters of Big Ten volleyball, soccer, and other fall sports.
The Big Ten announces the postponement of fall sports for the 2020-2021 season, which includes #iums, #iuvb, and #iufb.
The B1G will evaluate if these sports can be played in the spring. Also added "decisions around winter and spring sports will continue to be evaluated." #iubbhttps://t.co/dWkIoGH905
The Big Ten Conference announced the postponement of the 2020-21 fall sports season, including all regular-season contests and Big Ten Championships and Tournaments, due to ongoing health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In making its decision, which was based on multiple factors, the Big Ten Conference relied on the medical advice and counsel of the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee.”
New Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson had the following to say.
On Monday, the Detroit Free Press reported that Big Ten presidents voted 12-2 to cancel college football and other fall sports for 2020. Michigan president Dr. Mark Schlissel, a Ph.D. in Physiological Chemistry, and Michigan State president, Dr. Samuel Stanley, a biomedical researcher, both voted against a college football season. Presidents at Nebraska and Iowa, who have a military and business background, respectively, elected to play.
Postponing the season to spring 2021 remains an option; Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren showed interest in that solution on Saturday, as well as on Big Ten Network on Tuesday.
Warren: "When you look at this decision, we just believe there is too much uncertainty at this point in time in our country to encourage our student-athletes to participate in fall sports." #iufb#B1G
A number of prominent college football players, including Indiana star WR Whop Philyor, used the hashtag #WeWantToPlay to declare their desire to play this season. Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State QB Justin Fields, both Heisman Trophy contenders, spearheaded the social media campaign.
On Saturday, the MAC became the first FBS conference to eliminate college football in 2020. The Mountain West Conference, which includes Fresno State, currently led by former IU OC Kalen DeBoer, followed suit on Monday. No final decision has been made by the ACC, Big 12, Pac 12, or SEC.
Indiana Impact
There’s plenty still to be determined, but Indiana head coach Tom Allen spoke to the media earlier on Monday.
Guys realize we can do this. At the same time, I have coach in front of my name, not doctor.”
– Indiana HC Tom Allen on Monday
As of an NCAA board meeting on August 5, if a student-athlete opted out of playing due to coronavirus concerns, the school had to honor his/her scholarship commitment. While no official statement has been released, anticipate that players would maintain their current year of eligibility for athletics purposes, even though classes would continue.
You still may witness a number of Hoosiers declare for the NFL Draft. QB Michael Penix, OT Caleb Jones, WR Ty Fryfogle, TE Peyton Hendershot, RB Stevie Scott, and DB Jamar Johnson are all draft-eligible for 2021 and would receive interest from scouts at the next level. Earlier this summer, potential Big Ten 1st round picks Rondale Moore (Purdue), Rashod Bateman (Minnesota), and Micah Parsons (Penn State) opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the pros.
