Nothing has changed
But some key issues are unresolved after latest decisions in California
Penn State doesn’t expect California decision to affect September game.
Along with phrases like “social distancing” and “uncertain times,” the commonly used “for now” is a key part of nearly every conversation while the COVID-19 pandemic continues. It suggests cautious optimism, and that is the way Penn State is dealing with its scheduled football game against San Jose State at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa.
“Penn State’s focus is on the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans in every decision made about intercollegiate athletics,” a university spokesperson said via email. “The football game with San Jose State on September 19 remains on the schedule at this time.”
Tuesday, the California State University system said that it anticipates the bulk of the classes at the system’s 23 campuses (including San Jose State) will be taught online in the fall.
On Friday, NCAA commissioner Mark Emmert said in an interview streamed on Twitter that he did not believe schools would play football or any fall sports without students on campus.
“All of the commissioners and every president that I’ve talked to is in clear agreement: If you don’t have students on campus, you don’t have student-athletes on campus,” Emmert said. “That doesn’t mean [the university] has to be up and running in the full-normal model, but you have to treat the health and well-being of the athletes at least as much as the regular students.”
If that wasn’t clear enough, Emmert punctuated his own thoughts.
“If a school doesn’t reopen, then they’re not going to be playing sports,” he said. “It’s really that simple.”
Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour previously had expressed her aversion to playing games unless students are back on the campus and fans can be in the stands.
“I’ll go back to kind of one of our major principles,” Barbour told reporters during a virtual interview session in April. “We’re not coming back to campus, whether it’s students or whether it’s student-athletes, they’re not coming back to campus until it’s safe and healthy and prudent to do so.
“So, I’m not sure whether a situation where it’s not wise or prudent to have folks in the stands marries up with it’s OK to have students back on campus.”
Would Barbour be willing to keep San Jose State on the schedule if the Nittany Lions are allowed to play football without students on campus? She’d be holding up her end of the statement she previously made.
But, will any of this matter if there is no answer for COVID-19 in the next few months?
Either way, the Nittany Lions still plan to play host to San Jose State.
“Given the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic, Penn State is preparing for a variety of scenarios for fall sports,” the university spokesperson said. “All in consideration of the guidance and direction of public health authorities, the state and federal government, the Big Ten and the NCAA.”