The domino effect has ensued. Just one day after the Ivy League made their decision to postpone 2020 sports seasons, the Big Ten Conference announced their decision to limit their 2020 season to in-conference play only. We are already seeing a trickle-down effect from the Ivy League’s decision. With a Power Five school pulling back the reigns on a season, it won’t be long until we see other Power Fives follow suit as well as the UIL.
The Big Ten tweeted out their announcement on Thursday afternoon:
Big Ten Statement on 2020-21 Fall Season:https://t.co/KLjc4mA47h
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) July 9, 2020
We are already seeing a trickle-down effect from the Ivy League’s decision. With a Power Five school pulling back the reigns on a season, it won’t be long until we see other Power Fives follow suit as well as the UIL- especially after neighboring New Mexico decided to postpone their high school sports until spring.
“[Making the decision to play within the conference only was the] next logical step… keep the student-athletes at the center of all of our decisions and make sure they are as healthy and well as they can be.” Said Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren.
SEC sources have released that the conference is set to meet Monday, but we shouldn’t expect a decision to be made this soon. Reports are that the meeting was set even before the Big Ten made their decision.
It’s important to remember that the Ivy League was the first to make the decision to halt basketball and spring sports in the spring. It wasn’t long after that more sports governing bodies followed suit. With the UIL already planning to follow the direction of other governing bodies, the Big Ten’s impact may be huge on Texas high school football. The questions that remain, however, will the season be postponed, start on time, restricted play to a specific proximity, or canceled altogether?
