Big Ten COVID-19 Safety Precautions Put Rebuilding Spartan Football Behind
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm and the residual waves have found themselves trickling down to the world of sports and of course Spartan athletics.
After canceling the Big Ten tournament and subsequently the NCAA canceling their tournament, everyone held their collective breath about the remaining spring sports.
Statement from the Big Ten. Stay safe, Spartan Nation. 💚 pic.twitter.com/EFy5N26P0Q
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) March 13, 2020
Now the Big Ten has gone farther: 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 the 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.
For the Spartan head coach Mel Tucker, that was a massive hurdle for a rebuilding program without longstanding relationships. By not allowing Tucker and his staff to go out or bring people in, that makes it much more difficult compared to programs that already have relationships. For Mel Tucker and his staff, getting out and meeting young men, high school coaches, and families, as well as bringing young men in was a big to-do for this spring. It now is over.
Now do not get me wrong, I am not saying the NCAA or Big Ten are doing this to specifically hurt the Spartans, it is just the reality of how it impacts the Spartans.
Our Pro Day has been cancelled. Stay safe, Spartan Nation. 💚 pic.twitter.com/CcpE6DLXMK
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) March 13, 2020
Then the Big Ten went farther.
BIG TEN STATEMENT
The Big Ten Conference announced today that all organized team activities have been suspended until April 6, 2020, and will be re-evaluated at that time.
The Big Ten has previously announced that in addition to canceling 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. The Conference also 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 the 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, faculty, fans, and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus.
Michigan State Football: The Staff #RELENTLESS pic.twitter.com/nTJYevrC9I
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) March 10, 2020
So now the Spartans spring football season has been canceled along with the spring game, kid’s clinic and pro day. Make sure you stay tuned to Spartan Nation for the latest on COVID-19 precautions.
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