The Big Ten released its official statement on the cancellation of its fall sports season from its league headquarters in Rosemon, Ill., on Tuesday afternoon.

The 14-member conference cited ongoing health and safety concerns that were related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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In addition to football, other fall sports canceled including men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball.

“Our primary responsibility is to make the best possible decisions in the interest of our students, faculty and staff,” said Morton Schapiro, Chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors and Northwestern University President.

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Big Ten Statement, commissioner Kevin Warren

“The mental and physical health and welfare of our student-athletes has been at the center of every decision we have made regarding the ability to proceed forward.

“As time progressed and after hours of discussion with our Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee, it became abundantly clear that there was too much uncertainty regarding potential medical risks to allow our student-athletes to compete this fall.

“We know how significant the student-athlete experience can be in shaping the future of the talented young women and men who compete in the Big Ten Conference. Although that knowledge made this a painstaking decision, it did not make it difficult. 

While I know our decision today will be disappointing in many ways for our thousands of student-athletes and their families, I am heartened and inspired by their resilience, their insightful and discerning thoughts, and their participation through our conversations to this point.

Everyone associated with the Big Ten Conference and its member institutions is committed to getting everyone back to competition as soon as it is safe to do so.”

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