It seems like most people — even some college football coaches — don’t want to see college football take over Friday nights from high school football. On Friday, USA Football released a statement showing solidarity with high schools and encouraged colleges and TV networks to consider “the great American tradition of high school football being played on Friday nights.”
Here is the full statement from USA Football CEO and executive director Scott Hallenbeck:
“We support and stand with the state high school coaches associations opposed to college football being played on Friday nights – a night synonymous with high school football. USA Football, in partnership with the following high school coaches associations, encourages all college conferences and their respective networks moving forward to consider their course of action for the benefit of the millions of high school student-athletes, coaches and communities that could be negatively impacted by college football being played on Friday nights. The great American tradition of high school football should continue to be valued, honored and protected. It’s important we all work together and do what’s best to ensure prosperity for all levels of the game.”
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald had already spoken out against the Big Ten’s decision to add Friday games next season.
Disappointed to learn Big 10 has chosen to infringe on Friday night High school Football. We should promote rather than create obstacles
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) November 4, 2016
Fitzgerald told the Chicago Tribune that “Friday nights are for high school football” and added health concerns of teams playing on a short week.
Many fans have also complained about the addition of Friday night games. In a Max Preps poll from November, 72 percent of readers voted college football should not schedule Friday night games.
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