From The Tribune staff reports
The Mid-American Conference has canceled fall sports, including football, due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, the league announced Saturday. MAC presidents met virtually Saturday morning and decided to cancel the fall football season, and will now focus on playing football in the spring.
The MAC becomes the first FBS conference to cancel sports this fall. The league is comprised of 12 teams, including Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami-Ohio, Ohio, Northern Illinois, Toledo and Western Michigan.
“I’m crushed by this decision,” said commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. “I am so disappointed. It’s just crushing we can’t facilitate opportunities this fall because of the circumstances. I’m heartbroken in that.”
Steinbrecher said in a Saturday morning press conference that the decision to cancel fall sports was unanimous among league presidents.
“The virus will have a say whether we can go forward with these plans (playing in the spring),” said Steinbrecher. “This isn’t a financial decision. It’s a health and well-being decision.”