The Mid-American Conference will resume the festival this fall after a unanimous vote Friday among the 12 presidents of the convention.
.
The six-game program for the convention will begin on November 4 and the MAC championship game will be held on December 18 or 19, with Ford Field under attention as the host site. A full programme will be published at a later date.
“I’m very excited that the Mid-American Conference has developed a plan to allow our boys to play the game they love safely,” East Michigan football coach Chris Creighton said in a statement. “We have been preparing to compete for a MAC Championship since December 27. Our purpose is to be in the starting point position, every time that day has come in spite of everything. I am very grateful that our players have the chance to play a 2020 season. “
The MAC was the last of 10 FBS meetings to return to action this season of the COVID-19 pandemic, after being the first convention of its kind to stop autumn sports indefinitely on August 8.
The announcement follows the Big Ten resolution on September 16 and Pac-12 and Mountain West resolutions on Thursday to restore football for this fall. The viability of the season will be subject to national, state and local fitness guidelines, the convention said in a press release.
“I am pleased to tell our students-athletes, coaches and enthusiasts that the Mid-American Conference will resume the fall football season,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said. Our decisions, in August and today, were based on a number one fear for the well-being of students-athletes, establishments and the network as a whole. Our Medical Advisory Group, Presidents, Athletics Directors and others We have worked hard to expand a plan that gives students-athletes the opportunity to compete. diligently in tracking the dynamic fitness environment through the footprint of the Conference and in the country. “
The convention will implement a COVID-19 4-test scheme consistent with the week, starting October 5, with more rules and protocols next week.
Football tickets will be sold to the general public and heels will be allowed this fall.
“This return to the festival is imaginable thanks to the abundant progress of the events over the next month, whether in terms of accuracy and ability,” said Rachel Blunt, acting director of sports in central Michigan. “The ability to test 4 times a week will allow us to stick to the rigorous protocols explained through our medical and medical experts at the conference. “
[Central Michigan hires new athletic director: Texas Amy Folan]
Football is the fall game that returns immediately. Other fall games (football, cross country and volleyball) are expected to return in the spring when those championships will be held.
Men’s and women’s basketball will begin with the rest of the country on November 25, and winter sports schedules will be published at a later date.
Chris Thomas is the sports editor for Detroit Free Press. Contact him on cdthomas@freepress. com or with him on Twitter @bychristhomas.