Another school has decided not to play FBS football in 2020, and it’s the Old Dominion Monarchs out of Conference-USA. The school based in Norfolk, Virginia will not participate in any fall sports for the rest of this calendar year.
Old Dominion Athletics Announces Cancellation of Fall Sports Season#ODUSports | #ODU https://t.co/T3blXPvfLf
— ODU Athletics (@ODUSports) August 10, 2020
Old Dominion University will cancel the fall athletic season because of the coronavirus pandemic, President John R. Broderick announced Monday.
“We concluded that the season – including travel and competition – posed too great a risk for our student-athletes,” President Broderick said.
“I know many on and off campus will be disappointed, but we must prioritize the health and safety of our student-athletes, as well as our coaches, staff and fans.”
The decision was made in concert with Athletic Director Wood Selig, coaches, medical and public health experts and state and local officials, he said.
Head football coach Ricky Rahne posts on Twitter that he’s on board with the decision:
— Ricky Rahne (@RickyRahne) August 10, 2020
ODU joins UConn and all of the Mid-American Conference in ending football in 2020. The Big Ten is expected to make a formal announcement about their impending cancelation tomorrow.
There is no word on whether the school informed the rest of their conference partners before announcing the decision.
This brings the total to 14 teams of the 130 in FBS that won’t play in 2020. When the 14 teams of the Big Ten are added tomorrow, 28 of 130 schools will have formally opted-out of football for the fall.