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Penn State AD says it’s unlikely B1G reverses course, expects concepts for spring season to come soon
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With the fall football season off the table in the B1G, everyone in the conference is now focusing their attention on making a spring season work. And initial concepts and plans could be coming very shortly, according to Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour.
Monday, Barbour spoke with reporters via Zoom regarding the B1G’s decision to postpone football this fall and start looking at potentially playing in the spring. While playing during those winter and spring months presents plenty of challenges, Barbour believes it’s a “viable” option.
Barbour was asked whether or not she believes the B1G could reverse course in the near future, as many parents of players have written letters to B1G commissioner Kevin Warren regarding the decision. Parent groups from Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Nebraska have also drafted messages over the last few days.
And on Sunday, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields launched a petition calling for Warren and presidents to reconsider. That petition is nearing 250,000 votes, but Barbour still believes that’s a long shot.
“The presidents and chancellors made their decision based on science, based on the information from the medical experts, and based on concerns and uncertainty in a number of different categories,” Barbour said, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. “I don’t see that changing.”
Barbour did seem a little more optimistic about playing football in the spring. She said she expects initial plans of a spring football concept to be released within “the next week or so.”
Just two days after the B1G announced the decision to scrap the fall season, Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm developed his own spring season concept, attempting to get a head start on planning. His plan was sent around the B1G and other coaches have provided “good feedback,” according to the Boilermakers leader.
It should be interesting to see what the B1G comes up with in the coming days.
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