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B1G announces extension of suspension of all organized team activities
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The B1G has announced it will extend its suspension on all organized team activities through June 1. The conference made a statement regarding the decision on Monday morning.
Previously, the B1G had extended the initial suspension through May 4, when it would re-evaluate the situation involving the COVID-19 pandemic. The league says it will continue to monitor the situation and will again re-evaluate on June 1.
“This is an additional measure to the previously announced cancellation of all conference and non-conference competitions through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year,” The B1G said in a statement. “The Conference also has previously announced a moratorium on all on- and off-campus recruiting activities for the foreseeable future.
“The B1G will continue to use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps relative to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
A handful of B1G universities have already stated that the plan to host on-campus classes in the fall is in the works, although there may be additional measures and precautions taken to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Still, what that could mean for a return to sports is unclear.
Many coaches and athletic directors across the nation have stated that college football athletes would need a minimum of six weeks of practices before being able to participate in a game. The June 1 deadline does not quite impede on that marker, as student-athletes would need to return to campus by early or mid July to meet the timeline requirements.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB