Michigan’s Big Ten Champions Week game in Iowa canceled

Michigan’s Big Ten Champions Week game in Iowa canceled

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan athletics department announced Tuesday (Dec. 15) that the football program is canceling the game in Iowa on Saturday (Dec. 19) as part of Big Ten’s Champions Week. The decision was made after discussions with medical experts, health advisers and university administration.

“In line with the Big Ten COVID-19 medical policy and health guidelines, we are without a significant number of players this week,” said Warde Manuel, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. Couple that with the normal course of injury due to injury, and we don’t have enough players available in multiple position groups to place a team in Iowa. We have more student athletes this week than last week and the week before.

“The number of positive tests in the past three weeks, requiring a 21-day unavailability period, and the contact tracking requirements associated with those numbers, have put our current list of unavailable student athletes at over 50 This is a very unfortunate situation, and we are disappointed that our program cannot close the season against the Hawkeyes.

“I am very proud of the way our players have worked to get back on the field, but the numbers simply don’t support us entering the field on Saturday. This was a very challenging and difficult 2020 for everyone, and we want to to be confident that we do what’s right for our student athletes every step of the way, and that ultimately is to ensure their health, safety and well-being. ”