Hunter
08/12/20
University of Iowa officials have issued statements relating to the postponement of fall sports in the Big Ten that was announced Tuesday afternoon.
The conference said the postponement includes all regular season contests and Big Ten Championship Tournaments, citing ongoing health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. They relied on the medical advice and counsel of the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee.
In a release from the U of I , president Bruce Harreld said “Our first action will be to support our student-athletes and their families as they process this decision….while this is a disappointing moment for our student-athletes, their health is paramount and we ask our fans to continue to support the Hawkeyes.”
Athletic Director Gary Barta said, “We have said from the very beginning, the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff is our first priority…Unfortunately, there were still too many uncertainties to move forward with our fall sports.”
And head football coach Kirk Ferentz called it an “extraordinarily disappointing day for everyone involved with Hawkeye football.” But he ended his statement on a positive note, saying, As a program, our focus from this day forward will be to come together to find a way to play if possible this Spring. When we get the chance, we will look forward to once again swarm down the tunnel onto the Kinnick Stadium field to challenge ourselves against the best programs in the country.”