Jim Harbaugh has some serious concerns about the conditions of opposing locker rooms and wants the Big Ten to address them.
Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines beat Purdue on the road Saturday 28-10. Harbaugh spoke at length Monday about the poor conditions of the visiting locker room, noting the issue wasn’t isolated to Purdue, but rather something experienced many places he’s been.
Two issues that stood out were that there was no X-ray machine on hand and quarterback Wilton Speight had to be transported to receive an X-ray. Harbaugh also said there was no air conditioning and the overall temperature inside the locker room was sweltering.
“Gamesmanship should cease at the line of health and safety for the players,” Harbaugh said, via The Detroit News. “It’s become apparent after going around to all the visiting schools in the last couple of years that a conscious effort of gamesmanship that is unsportsmanlike when you have locker rooms that are too small, that are not heated or cooled properly, in this case, there’s no air conditioning. Such a tight, cramped environment where you have to open the doors to get some kind of ventilation going in a very small area. People are walking by, they’re watching you dress. The number of urinals or bathrooms for the players and staff, I think there were two. There was not even a private door around it.”
Harbaugh is encouraging the Big Ten to look into the issue and create a minimum standard for opposing locker rooms. He also is encouraging other coaches in the conference to back him. Ohio State’s Urban Meyer said there “absolutely” should be a standard for opposing locker rooms.
One report said the on-field temperature at gametime Saturday was 101 degrees. Here was the response from Purdue:
Purdue's response to Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh saying they have inadequate visitor's facilities. (Click to enlarge.) pic.twitter.com/jZph90B1oE
— Lori Schmidt (@LoriSchmidt) September 25, 2017
Now that Harbaugh has voiced his opinion on the matter, don’t be surprised to see the conference take action.
