TUCSON, Arizona — University of Arizona president Dr. Robert Robbins appeared on the KVOI AM radio "Buckmaster" show, and he expressed concern that the college football season will start on time due to coronavirus pandemic.
"I'm really concerned about whether we're going to be playing football in the fall," Robbins told KVOI. "My sense, right now, I just don't see that happening."
The Wildcat season is scheduled to begin at home against Hawaii on August 29th. The team usually begins practice approximately August 1st.
"We're waiting to see what the NCAA does, what the Pac-12 does," Robbins said. " As much as I want it, you know, it just seems as thought if we do play any football in the fall, it's going to be delayed because I've heard nothing and we're headed to May 1. My hope is we're going to get some clarity on this very soon, but it seems unlikely to me. I'd love to see it happen, but we're waiting every day to get some guidance."
If football isn't played this fall, other scenarios are being worked out to try and save the season.
"What I've been hearing more of is that maybe doing something combining both basketball and football for the spring, so January-February 2021, and try to play both of them," Robbins said. "There will be all kind of implications for television viewing and confusion. I don't know. We just don't have any answers right now."
Robbins did say that his comments reflect his opinions, and nothing yet has been decided.
"It's going to very difficult to start the {football} schedule as it currently exists," Robbins said.
