• WBST 92.1 FMMuncie
  • WBSB 89.5 FMAnderson
  • WBSW 90.9 FMMarion
  • WBSH 91.1 FMHagerstown / New Castle
Indiana Public Radio, a listener-supported service of Ball State University
Listen Live Online. Tap to open audio stream.

Big 10 To Resume Football Season In October

By Emilie Syberg and Brandon Smith, IPB News | Published on in Education, Health, Sports, Statewide News
The earliest students can return to play after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis is 21 days. (FILE PHOTO: Casey Abbett)

Big Ten football will resume next month after the season was postponed in August over concerns about COVID-19.

According to a statement released by the 14-school conference Wednesday, the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously to allow games to begin the weekend of October 23.

Students, coaches, trainers, and others who are present for games and practices will be required to undergo daily antigen testing, the results of which must be completed before games and practices. Testing positivity rates for the teams and population will determine whether teams continue to practice and compete.

Students with positive COVID-19 test results will also be required to undergo cardiac testing, and must receive clearance from a cardiologist before being permitted to play again. Big Ten universities will also create a “cardiac registry” to study the impact of cardiac conditions on athletes with coronavirus.

The conference said daily COVID-19 testing will begin by September 30.

At a coronavirus press conference Wednesday, Governor Eric Holcomb said he offered IU President Michael McRobbie and Purdue President Mitch Daniels the state government’s support in whatever decision they made.

“But I wanted them to know that we are here and we have a lot of talent and a lot of expertise and we’re here to help.”

Holcomb notes he didn’t tell the university presidents whether he thought they should resume play.

This story has been updated.