Wisconsin Chancellor Rebecca Blank was reported by multiple sources to have been one of the key figures that were swayed to vote yes in the decision to bring back Big Ten Football.
Although Chancellor Blank was initially against a football season because she didn’t believe that the testing was adequate enough to play, the new rapid testing technology has made it feasible and affordable enough for Wisconsin to play this season. The Big Ten Conference has also agreed to pay for testing of players, which will further lower costs for the university.
Here is Chancellor Blank’s complete statement on the return of Big Ten Football:
The health and safety of our student-athletes and coaching staff has always been my biggest concern when thinking about playing a Big Ten Football season this year. These concerns led the Big Ten Council of Chancellors and Presidents (COP/C) to postpone the season in August.
Since that time, many people have worked hard to answer the questions and concerns that resulted in postponement. My fellow presidents and chancellors have had extensive conversations with doctors and medical advisors and believe that a testing plan that relies on daily, rapid testing of all student-athletes and coaching staff is now feasible and affordable.
Medical advisors to the Big Ten have produced clear protocols for testing, isolation, and return to play. They also have a protocol to check any athletes who become ill for heart-related problems. With these protocols, the health concerns that I had in August have been allayed. The Big Ten has also agreed to pay for the testing, which will be done in a uniform manner in all schools.
Above all, I support our coaches and student-athletes and want them to have the opportunity to safely compete, if possible. I believe the plan put forward by the Return to Competition Committee, with its extensive safety protocols and tight controls, allows that to happen.
I’m particularly grateful to Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, who led the Return to Competition Committee, which developed a viable schedule.
While football will probably begin competition before other sports, these protocols will cover all sports. Updates regarding fall sports other than football, as well as winter sports that begin in the fall, will be announced by the Big Ten soon.
There are still many details to be worked out, but I will be happy to see the Badgers return to competition in 2020.