The University of Wisconsin has cancelled Saturday’s game against Nebraska due to rising COVID-19 numbers within the program, per a release from the school.
The Badgers will be pausing all team activities for at least seven days as a result of elevated COVID-19 cases. The decision was made by Wisconsin Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez and Chancellor Rebecca Blank, in “consultation” with the Big Ten conference.
“We have said from the beginning that the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff members comes first,” Alvarez said. “Over the past several days we have seen a rising number of student-athletes and staff contract the virus. The responsible thing for us to do is to pause football-related activities for at least seven days.”
“We thank and appreciate our athletic trainers, doctors and public health staff who are supporting the health and safety of our student-athletes and program,” said Blank.
A total of 12 people in the program have tested positive as of Wednesday morning per the release from UW:
“As of Wednesday morning (Oct. 28), a total of 12 people within the Wisconsin football program had tested positive for COVID-19 in the past five days. That figure includes six student-athletes and six staff members, including head coach Paul Chryst. Additional test results are pending.”
Wisconsin’s game against Purdue has not been adjusted yet as a result of the news.