ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference will not play its football schedule this fall due to a reaction to the Chinese coronavirus by member presidents.

All 2020-21 fall sports – including football – are postponed until the spring.

“While I know our decision today will be disappointing in many ways for our thousands of student-athletes and their families, I am heartened and inspired by their resilience, their insightful and discerning thoughts, and their participation through our conversations to this point,” said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren. 

The fall sports included are men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. Some may resume in the spring and the fate of winter and spring sports – including basketball – are up in the air.

It is particularly painful for the Ohio State football team – ranked No. 2 in the nation in the preseason Coaches Poll.

“This is an incredibly sad day for our student-athletes, who have worked so hard and been so vigilant fighting against this pandemic to get this close to their season,” Athletics Director Gene Smith said.

The University of Michigan has suspended all athletic activities, including practices, effective immediately, until further notice. This includes team practices for all fall, winter, and spring sports

The Big 10 had five football teams ranked in the Top 25 preseason polls. Ohio State was No. 2, Penn State was No. 7, Wisconsin was No. 12, Michigan was No. 15, Minnesota was No. 18 and Iowa was No. 23.

Reports say that Nebraska and Iowa were the only two schools that voted to play this fall.

“We are very disappointed in the decision by the Big Ten Conference to postpone the fall football season, as we have been and continue to be ready to play,” said Nebraska coach Scott Frost.

Nebraska officials said they would not entertain any plans to play in the fall outside the Big Ten.