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J.L. Kirven is a Senior studying Journalism at Ohio University. He also serves as Co-Sports Editor of The Post. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let J.L. know by emailing him at jk810916@ohio.edu.

Just Listen to JL: Spring football - The Great Value version of the sport

If you’re an Ohio football season ticket holder, then you’ve had a long summer, my friend. 

Just over two weeks ago, Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher finally announced that the MAC would not play football in 2020. After a summer of near radio silence, Steinbrecher’s announcement was the anticlimactic end to a saga full of uncertainty and confusion. 

Throughout the midst of that saga, someone from Ohio Athletics probably called about your season tickets and you went ahead and booked your seats. Well now I bet you’re wondering when they’ll call to explain what they intended to do with your hard-earned money. 

Well according to Ohio’s Athletic Director Julie Cromer, you have a choice with, four actually. 

  1. You can have a full refund  
  2. Your money is donated to Ohio Athletics
  3. Your money goes toward the 2021 fall football season 
  4. Your money goes toward the 2021 SPRING football season 

Let’s take a look at that fourth option. It’s spring football and I’m not talking about the XFL, I’m talking about Ohio Bobcat football. Rufus, The Marching 110 and Frank Solich. The whole package, just this time it’s in the spring. 

The MAC is currently working on a plan to move its fall lineup of sports to the spring. Schools are already creating plans for the athletes to train and practice safely. The MAC isn’t the only conference to express its interest in spring. The Big Ten also has ideas of suiting up in early 2021.

This sounds good, and to be honest I would love to cover the Bobcats before I eventually don my cap and gown. But spring football is more than just pushing the season back, we’ll be sacrificing quality. It’ll be the Great Value version of what college football season has come to feel like over 150 years. 

Who cares?

There will be no definitive national champion since three of the Power 5 conferences elected to play in the fall. Well, most college football championships up till 2015 could be disputed in due part to the system back then. And as sports fans, don’t we love to debate hypothetical matchups? 

NBA players are playing in a bubble with pixelated fans. MLB stars are hitting dingers at teddy bears in bleacher seats. I’m sure football can handle a little weird. 

But if there is football this spring, there will be questions on how. Allow me to give my responses. 

“J.L., Should there be fans?” 

“No.”

“What about non-conference games?” 

“No.”

Personally, I feel like spring football should be treated as the commodity it is. The MAC should play a six game schedule then have a tournament for the MAC title. Nobody needs to lose their eligibility because it isn’t a complete season.  

I know its not the traditional season that everyone wants, but don’t be greedy. It’s better than nothing. If you don’t like it, just ask for the refund. 

J.L. Kirven is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. He also serves as Co-Sports Editor of The Post. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let J.L. know by emailing him at jk810916@ohio.edu. .   

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