The Big Ten conference officially made the decision today to postpone all fall sports due to ongoing health and safety concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The league will try and resume play in the spring.
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh released a statement, saying that he shares in the disappointment of the players and coaches.
“Our student-athletes and coaches want to compete,” Harbaugh said in a Tuesday afternoon statement, issued by a Michigan spokesman. “They have committed, trained and prepared their entire lives for this opportunity, and I know how much they’re disappointed at this time.
“I share in their disappointment today.”
Harbaugh had already previously released a statement advocating for the playing of football this fall, saying that the virus could be controlled with the proper safety protocols.
“We have shown over the weeks since returning to campus that we could meet the challenge and provide our student-athletes the opportunity of a fall football season,” Harbaugh continued in his Tuesday statement.
Meanwhile, Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel called the decision “unfortunate but necessary”.
“The latest decision was reached after careful consideration and the grim knowledge that this pandemic continues to affect our country adversely,” Manuel said. “I am deeply saddened for our student-athletes and remain committed to our going promise to provide them with a world-class education.”
– – Quotes via Aaron McMann of MLive Link– –
