Joint statement from Martin Jarmond, Mike Bohn

The Pac-12 is under fire from national media, and drawing criticism from its players. While the Pac-12 Players are demanding protection and standing in solidarity with one another, the conference has proceeded on mission and released all 12 member university’s schedules for football, including UCLA’s 10-game revised schedule this season.

In response to the conference’s announcement, UCLA Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond and USC athletic director Mike Bohn released a joint statement, geared towards addressing the football schedule and the subsequent moving of the UCLA-USC rivalry game to September 26.

“We are pleased with today’s Pac-12 announcement of revised scheduling details for 2020 fall sports. We understand the great interest in the 90th edition of our historic football rivalry game, currently scheduled for Sept. 26 at the Rose Bowl. Though we are progressing toward the start of our respective seasons, at this time we do not have the necessary county and state clearances to begin competitions. Developing a scheduling model for the fall sports season that provides optimal flexibility was an important next step in the process. In particular, our football schedules create the opportunity for us to shift our season- opening contest to open dates later in the season (Oct. 31 and Dec. 12), if necessary. UCLA and USC are in absolute alignment, and we remain in regular communication with state, local, and university officials. We will continue to follow their guidance with the utmost regard for the health and safety of our student-athletes.”

We’ll see where we go from here and as we progress through August with the Pac-12 players standing in unity and opting out of the football season unless their demands are met.

And we’ll also see where we go from here and if the state of California will even allow the two programs (and other major universities in the state) to participate in practices, workouts, film sessions, etc. to get this game off.

It is nice to see, however, that the optimal flexibility for their bye weeks to coincide and a week prior to the the regular season ending be open for both teams. Here’s hoping that we can curb this coronavirus surge and ensure player safety in order to get some sort of a season.