Big Ten Announces COVID-19 Forfeiture Policy

The Big Ten confirmed on Monday this year’s policy for any COVID-related cancellations of athletic events.

The conference announced that if a team is unable to play a “conference contest” due to COVID-19, it will be ruled a forfeit and will not be rescheduled.

“That contest shall be considered a loss for the team impacted by COVID-19 and a win for its opponent in the conference standings,” the announcement stated.

The Big Ten added that if two competing conference teams are both unable to play due to COVID-19, the game will be considered a “no contest.”

Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour noted during a press conference Saturday that the Big Ten was “very close” to announcing its forfeiture plan for in-conference contests. She hinted that the conference would likely revert back to its former policy, where if a team didn’t have enough players to compete they would have to forfeit.

The Nittany Lions faced several COVID-related cancellations throughout last year’s season, including extended breaks for men’s basketball, men’s hockey, and women’s volleyball, among others.

Women’s soccer kicked off Penn State’s fall sports circuit this past weekend with two wins over UMass and La Salle. The men’s squad will open its season against George Mason Thursday at 7 p.m. at Jeffrey Field, while women’s volleyball and field hockey will also open their campaigns this weekend.