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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — All they’ve asked for is transparency, and that’s still not what they’re getting.
Six days after the Big Ten released a revamped, conference-only schedule in early August, it reversed course, postponing the fall season, presumably to winter or spring — though there are reports circulating that the conference may take a revote this week and start the season as early as Oct. 10.
Players have signed petitions demanding answers while many of their parents have done the same, even going as far as holding protests in various locales. Groups of parents from across the Big Ten met weeks ago at Big Ten headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois, whereas the Ohio State contingent followed that up the next week by holding a Buckeyes-focused protest outside The Horseshoe.
Michigan parents are following suit, with a planned protest this Saturday outside The Big House.
But has that led to any answers by the conference? A few, after Nebraska players sued the Big Ten to find out more about the decision. But Michigan’s president — who reportedly voted ‘no’ on having a fall season as planned hasn’t said word one to those his decision affected directly.
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After the original decision was passed down, Michigan defensive back Tyler Cochran slammed U-M president Dr. Mark Schlissel for making a unilateral decision without consulting the football program and without having witnessed the protocols that have been put in place.
According to Kwity Paye on Thursday, Schlissel still hasn’t stepped up to share his decision-making process.
“We haven’t heard anything,” Paye said. “I think Carlo (Kemp) has talked to him a bit, but other than that, he hasn’t addressed the team. We haven’t had any conversation with him. There’s been no communication.”
Left tackle Ryan Hayes notes that it’s been difficult, preparing for something that may or may not happen, unsure if a season will come or not.
The parents are hosting a protest this Saturday at Michigan Stadium, and Hayes says that the team still is feeling frustration at the current situation.
“We’re all frustrated and upset and we thought it was the final word,” Hayes said. “With all these new rumors coming in, it’s definitely frustrating and an emotional roller coaster, because you don’t really know what to believe, what not to believe.”
In the wake of all of this, Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren has been the entity who’s come under most fire, whether it be from players, parents, fans, media or even the White House. But if the decision is to be reversed, it will take nine Big Ten presidents and chancellors to say ‘yes’ to a fall season — and with the original vote being 11-3 in favor of postponement, getting six to reverse course may still be a tall task.
Meanwhile, the SEC, ACC and Big 12 intend to play, whereas two FCS teams — Central Arkansas and Austin Peay — already have a game under their belt, with zero coronavirus cases reported among them in the aftermath.
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