There will be no college football for at UMass Amherst. Athletic Director Ryan Bamford says that the decision was a very difficult one.
"We have been in constant communication with university leadership and our football staff since March, with the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff remaining our top priority. The continuing challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic posed too great of a risk, and we reached the conclusion that attempting to play a season would not have placed the members of our program in the safest situation possible."
The decision comes on the heals of a similar decision made last week by the UConn football program.
"I am absolutely heartbroken for our players, our former players, our alumni and our UMass Football community," said the Umass Football Head Coach Walt Bell. "Our job as coaches and mentors is to provide opportunities for our players, and do everything in our power to not take them away. Today's news was devastating, but we will be resilient and prepared to be our best when our best is required.
There is a window for the football season to go in the spring. But that has been left in the air for now.
(Photo Credit: John Baibak/WHYN News)