Kevin Warren Writes Open Letter to the Big Ten Community

Big Ten's commissioner Kevin Warren puts rest to all the speculations of thinking better of the decision to cancel the season. The league is unreservedly in support of canceling the fall sports, and it will not be reconsidered.

Warren wrote an open letter addressing the Big Ten Community in which he mentioned the reasons that have led to the cancellation of the fall season 2020. This came in response to propel that the conference has been getting from players, their families & a few of the coaches as well.

Here’s what Warren wrote in the open letter:

"I write on this occasion to share with you additional information regarding the Big Ten Conference’s decision to postpone the 2020-21 fall sports season. We thoroughly understand and deeply value what sports mean to our student-athletes, their families, our coaches, and our fans. The vote by the Big Ten Council of Presidents, and Chancellors (COP/C) was overwhelmingly in support of postponing fall sports and will not be revisited. The decision was thorough and deliberative and based on sound feedback, guidance, and advice from medical experts. Despite the decision to postpone fall sports, we continue our work to find a path forward that creates a healthy and safe environment for all Big Ten student-athletes to compete in the sports, they love in a manner that helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protects both student-athletes and the surrounding communities."

"The Big Ten Conference has assembled a Return to Competition Task Force consisting of members from the COP/C, sports medicine and university medical personnel, Athletic Directors, Head Coaches, Faculty Athletic Representatives, and Senior Woman Administrators to plan to the return of fall sports competition as soon as possible. In evaluating winter/spring models, we will explore many factors including the number of football games that can reasonably be played from a health perspective in a full calendar year while maintaining a premier competitive experience for our student-athletes culminating in a Big Ten Championship. The Big Ten Conference will continue to collect feedback from student-athletes, families, and other constituents and remains in active discussions with its television partners regarding all future plans.

"We have tremendous appreciation and understanding regarding what participation in sports means to our student-athletes, their families, our campus communities, and our fans. We will continue to make the best decisions possible for the health, safety, and wellness of our student-athletes. We appreciate the passion of the Big Ten community and will harness that energy towards providing the best possible experience for all Big Ten student-athletes."

Reasons that led to the cancellation of the Season:

Warren In his letter addressing the Big Ten Community cited the following reasons that led him not to forge ahead with the college football this fall season 2020.

The virus is spreading at an alarming rate, and there are no positive signs from the experts that in any way indicate that they can put an end to this incessant spread before the start of the season(if it were to happen).

Per the medical experts working for the team, it would be quite tough to control the spread with players ramping for more fierce practice sessions. They have suggested that even with the regular testing system in place it would not be possible to control the spread of coronavirus.

They say the virus is too complex, and there are too many things we do not know about the virus, how it spreads & how it can affect us. And, the cardiomyopathy data we have is not all that it is — with incomplete information, it could be dangerous for students as a whole with all the overt & covert risks associated.

There are still concerns related to contact tracing. Per the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guideline, social distancing in sports like football is one of those concerns. However, all the guidelines regarding social distancing, face masking & hygiene — all of these can be implemented at the campus but when it comes to the athletes on the ground it's not possible.

In the beginning, it looked evident, in the long run, it is going to be difficult with the contact tracing, and quarantining processes, which can hamper the competition calendar & practices. However, rapid testing that gives accurate results could help with those concerns, but that is not currently available.

Conferences willing to Play the Fall Season 2020

This fall season 2020, the Pac-12 along with Big ten has also announced the postponement of the game. They are hoping to make up for the season in spring 2021. However, other teams including Big 12, the SEC & ACC will be playing the season (per the latest reports). These teams that are willing to play have already released their schedule to play football on various dates in September. With the online protests from the players, their families & some coaches — the Big Ten’s commissioner Kevin Warren commissioner has written a letter clarifying his stance of not playing the season.

Athletic director Sandy Barbour showed his concern over Big Ten not revisiting its decision even after many parents from various member schools wrote letters to Warren regarding having a full season irrespective of the pandemic concerns. He showed concerns on how Warren has indicated any meeting just a waste of time.