The Big Ten has announced that they are canceling all athletic competitions through the end of the academic year in an effort to protect the student-athletes and curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The conference also announced a stoppage of all on- and off-campus recruiting. Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State announced this week that they were already halting such activities. Penn State has also canceled all football-related activities this spring.
Here is the Big Ten’s statement on their decision to cancel sports competitions through the end of the academic year.
BIG TEN STATEMENT
The Big Ten Conference announced today that in addition to the Men’s Basketball Tournament it will be canceling all conference and non-conference competitions through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year, and participation in all NCAA tournaments and competitions. In addition, the Conference has announced a moratorium on all on- and off-campus recruiting activities for the foreseeable future.
The Big Ten Conference will use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The main priority of the Big Ten Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus.
The announcement came just minutes after the NCAA announced the cancellation of all further winter and spring championships, including the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
Roughly five hours earlier, as players from Rutgers and Michigan were warming up for the first game of the B1G men’s basketball tournament, news came down that the tournament had been canceled. Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren addressed his decision soon after.
Spring commencement for Ohio State is May 3, with final exams taking place April 22-28.
I have heard from several medical professionals that this whole thing is overblown. They state that there are more deaths flu than the Corona Virus. They confirm what is said that this virus can be easily controlled if people just take the time to keep their hands washed.
I find it ridiculous that all these schools are closing. I recently had a picture share with me of a local college that has suspended classes that show a LARGE group of students gathered at a local bar. So students are going to have contact with other students whether it be class or socially. I would think it would be better for them to be in the classrooms that are less crowded than the bars and hangouts.
How many have died this season from influenza?
I have family in Italy and can tell you this is not overblown. While I respect most everyone’s opinions the actual experts have science and first hand experience on their side. I posted this earlier based on CDC information.
CDC modeling projects that between 160 and 214 million people in the U.S. could be infected. As many as 200,000 to 1.7 million people could die.
Additionally, 2.4 million to 21 million people in the U.S. could require hospitalization. The US has only about 925,000 staffed hospital beds. Fewer than a tenth of those are for people who are critically ill.
If the US can flatten the infection curb we will be much better off than China, S Korea, Italy, Iran, etc. Cancelling sporting events, which are essentially nothing more than entertainment, can help reduce and slow exposure and possible infection.
I’ve been seeing my dad in a nursing home for last two years and my brother who past yesterday for 21 years and the RNs,LPNs, Respiratory Therapists, Aids and Physician assistants all say Corona virus is BS!!!!
this is getting to be a mass over-reaction to reality..be wise, cautious,safe as always of course…but this is all mass hysteria to go THIS far.
The Yankee Empire aka New Babylon has taken control. Armageddon is beginning. Only trust and faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ!
I knew I would see some kook comments on here if I waited long enough. Glad to see I was right.