Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Statements, Press Conference On Big Ten Announcement
9/16/2020 10:46:00 AM | Football
The Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors (COP/C) adopted significant medical protocols (including daily antigen testing, enhanced cardiac screening and an enhanced data-driven approach when making decisions about practice/competition), and voted unanimously to resume the football season starting the weekend of October 23-24, 2020.
"From the onset of the pandemic, our highest priority has been the health and the safety of our students. The new medical protocols and standards put into place by the Big Ten Return To Competition Task Force were pivotal in the decision to move forward with sports in the conference," said Morton Schapiro, Chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors and Northwestern University President, and Chair of the Return to Competition Task Force Steering Committee. "We appreciate the conference's dedication to developing the necessary safety procedures for our students and the communities that embrace them."
"Today's announcement from the Big Ten Conference is an exciting step toward the safe return to competition we have been working to deliver," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips. "Throughout this constantly evolving process we have been guided by the most up-to-date information from our medical experts, with unwavering focus on the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. While we still have hurdles to clear before kickoff, I'm thankful for the hard work of so many to create this path to the return of Big Ten football.""From the onset of the pandemic, our highest priority has been the health and the safety of our students. The new medical protocols and standards put into place by the Big Ten Return To Competition Task Force were pivotal in the decision to move forward with sports in the conference," said Morton Schapiro, Chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors and Northwestern University President, and Chair of the Return to Competition Task Force Steering Committee. "We appreciate the conference's dedication to developing the necessary safety procedures for our students and the communities that embrace them."
"I'm ecstatic the Big Ten has built a plan to safely allow our guys the opportunity to play the game they love," said Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald. "Our focus all summer has been readiness for kickoff, whenever it came. Putting that date on the calendar is an emotional lift for our whole locker room and the Wildcats community."
Jerry Neuheisel MIC'D UP | Northwestern Football
Friday, April 10
Football - Players Pro Day Media Availability (Beerntsen, Stone, Tiernan)
Tuesday, March 17
Football - David Braun Pro Day Media Availability (3/17/26)
Tuesday, March 17
Run It Back: Braden Turner
Friday, March 13
