By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer, and staff
COLUMBUS – The Big Ten Conference won’t be playing football this fall because of concerns about COVID-19.
The move comes six day after the conference released a revised conference-only schedule that it hoped would help it navigate a fall season with potential COVID-19 disruptions.
The presidents of the conference’s member schools voted to postpone fall athletics seasons, which includes football, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s cross country, officials said.
“This is an incredibly sad day for our student-athletes, who have worked so hard and been so vigilant fighting against this pandemic to get this close to their season,” Athletics Director Gene Smith said.
“My heart aches for them and their families.”
The conference will continue to evaluate options, including the possibility of competing in the spring.
Decisions regarding winter and spring sports will also continue to be evaluated.
Athletes on scholarship at Ohio State will remain on scholarship, university officials said.
COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols will continue, access to team facilities and locker rooms, will be available, as well as
tutoring, scheduling and additional services of the Student-Athlete Support Services Office.
“We are focused on supporting our student-athletes in every way, ensuring their scholarships are still in place, and looking out for their health and safety and the health and safety of all our students as they continue to pursue their studies in these challenging times,” OSU president-elect Kristina Johnson said.