Big Ten, Penn State scrap all sports through the end of academic year

Penn State has canceled all spring sports, including the April 18 Blue-White football game, due to coronavirus outbreak.

In a release disseminated early Thursday afternoon, Penn State announced it had postponed all football-related activities — practice, recruiting and media availability — indefinitely. That included pro day workouts for NFL-bound players, which were scheduled for Tuesday, and spring practice, which was set to begin Wednesday.

Later in the afternoon, the Big Ten announced the cancellation of all sports through the end of the school year, including men’s and women’s basketball tournaments and all spring sports.

Penn State shortly followed suit, announcing the Blue-White game had been called off.

“As heartbreaking as this is for our student-athletes, coaches and staff, it is clear that the decision to suspend competition and focus on this worldwide health crisis is the only responsible action,” Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour said in a statement.

“This is an unprecedented situation and is very difficult to navigate and requires us to move forward with an abundance of caution. We are fully supportive and in agreement with the decisions today by the Big Ten and NCAA as the health and welfare of our student-athletes, staff and community is paramount. We know this announcement is disappointing for our student-athletes, and our hearts ache for their lost opportunities. However, we are committed to their continuing education, health, safety and welfare and that of our community.”