MSU president talks B1G decision, says there was 'consensus' to postpone fall sports
Michigan State University President Samuel Stanley wasn’t willing to get into the specifics behind the B1G’s decision to postpone the college football and fall sports season this year, but he did answer some questions on the topic. That’s better than most in his position across the conference.
Stanley met with reporters on Wednesday, a day after it was announced that MSU would not allow students on campus for face-to-face classes, with a few exceptions. Along with that conversation came questions about the B1G’s decision to postpone fall sports eight days ago.
According to Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal, Stanley wasn’t willing to discuss whether or not a vote was taken regarding the college football season, but says there was a “consensus” among presidents to postpone.
“I’m not comfortable talking about what we did as a conference together,” Stanley said, according to Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press. “We’re united in what we’re doing now and working together.”
Stanley continued to say that concerns about testing, positive results during fall camp and long-terms concerns of COVID-19 were all considered. For Stanley, and apparently many other presidents in the conference, it made more sense to halt the season and attempt to learn more information.
The B1G appears to have made the decision without much input from head coaches, players, parents and even some athletic directors based on the shocked reaction from some teams within the league. However, Stanley says “Ultimately, that was always our decision to make.”