(Irving, Texas) The Big 12 Conference is going ahead with fall sports. The Board of Directors agreed to proceed with plans for the fall sports season on Tuesday.
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby conducted a teleconference with the media on Wednesday morning. He says ultimately, the student-athletes have indicated their desire to compete in the sports they love this season. Bowlsby says the goal is to deliver a safe, medically sound, and structured academic and athletic environment for accomplishing that outcome.
Bowlsby says the virus continues to evolve, and medical professionals are learning more with each passing week. He says opinions vary regarding the best path forward, as seen throughout higher education and society overall. Still, they’re comfortable in the institutions’ ability to provide a structured training environment, rigorous testing and surveillance, hospital quality sanitation, and mitigation practices that optimize the health and safety of the student-athletes.
Bowlsby says medical experts advise conference officials to move forward slowly and be vigilant about making changes if necessary.
Bowlsby says the most significant argument is “no one has told us our decision to move forward with fall sports is ill-advised”.
Big 12 members have committed to enhanced COVID-19 testing that includes three tests per week in “high contact” sports, like Football, Volleyball, and Soccer. Additionally, return to play protocols after positive occurrences include an EKG, troponin blood test, echocardiogram, and cardiac MRI. Non-conference football opponents must also adhere to COVID-19 testing protocols that conform to the Big 12 standards during the week leading up to the competition.
In moving forward with planning for the upcoming fall sports season, the Conference is also releasing its revised 2020 conference football schedule. The “9+1” scheduling model features a September 26 start date for Conference play. Each team will have a minimum of two bye dates and potentially a third bye late in the season. The Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship Game, for now, is set for December 12. All non-conference games must be played before September 26, and each conference member will announce the match-ups. Each member institution will determine stadium capacities following local and state health ordinances and working with government officials.
All Big 12 sports competitions will commence after September 1. Volleyball and Soccer matches will be limited to conference opponents only, to ensure consistent health and safety protocols,
