Big Ten Postpones Fall Sports Competition Due to COVID-19
8/11/2020 3:30:00 PM | Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Cross Country, Men's Soccer, Women's Cross Country, Women's Soccer, Volleyball
• Big Ten Statement on 2020-21 Fall Season
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Big Ten Conference announced today (Tuesday, Aug. 11) that it is immediately postponing all fall sports competition and conference championships due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. All athletic contests and conference championships for fall teams (cross country, field hockey, football, soccer, volleyball) are postponed.
The Big Ten Conference will continue to evaluate a number of options regarding these sports, including the possibility of competition in the spring. Decisions regarding winter and spring sports will also continue to be evaluated.
The University of Michigan will decide on organized team and voluntary student-athlete activities as soon as information becomes available.
Statement from Warde Manuel, U-M Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics
"For the second time in five months, the Big Ten Conference made the unfortunate but necessary decision to postpone an athletic season in order to protect the health and well-being of our student-athletes, staff, and community members. As a result, all fall sport schedules have been postponed. This latest decision was reached after careful consideration and the grim knowledge that this pandemic continues to affect our country adversely. I am deeply saddened for our student-athletes and remain committed to our ongoing promise to provide them with a world-class education. We remain grateful to our global Michigan family for their unwavering support."
Tickets
The Michigan ticket office has proactively communicated with ticket purchasers with a range of opportunities to continue their support of our more than 900 student-athletes.
Events
• All athletic contests and conference championships for fall teams (cross country, field hockey, football, soccer, volleyball) are postponed.
• All third-party competitions or events scheduled to take place on/in U-M athletic facilities remain canceled. We will work proactively with all groups on refunds.
Practice
• The University of Michigan has suspended organized team practices. Student-athletes are allowed to participate in voluntary activities, as stipulated by the NCAA.Â
• This is breaking news from the Big Ten Conference. Complete information and the resulting impact on fall, winter and spring sports is not known at this time.
• The University of Michigan will decide on organized team and voluntary student-athlete activities as soon as information becomes available.
More Information
We will continue to monitor the developing situation and issue updates as determined. For the latest on Michigan Athletics and COVID-19, please visit MGoBlue.com/covid19.
Visit the CDC's COVID-19 website coronavirus.gov for information on how to protect yourself, what to do if you think you are sick, and more.
