Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after the conference announced it would push football and other fall sports to spring because of the pandemic, the conference changed course. The Big Ten plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 24 with an eight-game schedule for each team. The Big Ten says its Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously to restart sports. Back in August, the conference voted to postpone fall sports.
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.
