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Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez says B1G still working on plans for football season, no start date mentioned
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Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez says that the B1G continues to work on a proposal to restart the college football and fall sports season sometime in the 2020-21 academic year. No specific dates were provided.
Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported on Alvarez’s comments during an athletic board meeting on Friday. Despite rumors that the B1G was considering revisiting its decision on playing this fall, it doesn’t appear that the conference will be playing any earlier than Thanksgiving weekend.
According to Potrykus, Alvarez said that medical officials are still gathering information to provide to the B1G chancellors and presidents to ensure that fall sports are resumed as safely, and as quickly, as possible.
#Badgers AD Barry Alvarez, speaking to athletic board, notes medical officials still working to gather info (facts) to fashion a proposal for league's Presidents and Chancellors. Again, that doesn't sound like first and goal at the 1 just yet.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) September 4, 2020
#Badgers AD Barry Alvarez, during athletic board meeting: Notes the B1G committee working to get sports up and running plans to have more meetings with league's Council Chancellors/Presidents. He can't give a specific target date for kickoff yet.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) September 4, 2020
Alvarez also stated that the B1G committee is planning to have more meeting with the chancellors and presidents in the coming weeks. No target date for kickoff was mentioned.
So, while Dan Patrick’s report of a potential Oct. 10 restart provided some optimism around the league, it doesn’t seem like that’s a viable option at this time. The B1G has been looking at potentially playing in January for a winter/spring season. Even the idea of starting Thanksgiving weekend has been kicked around.
Heading into Labor Day weekend, it still seems like there are a lot of unknowns in the B1G.
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