What time will the game be?
The Big Game will kick off at 12 noon on Saturday, Dec. 1 and will be televised by the Pac-12 Network.
 
Who made the decision and what factors were considered?
The decision to reschedule the game was made jointly by University and Cal Athletics leadership, led by Chancellor Christ and AD Jim Knowlton, after extensive consultation with medical and environmental experts, the Pac-12 and Stanford.
 
Cal follows guidelines established by the NCAA Sports Science Institute and the Pac-12 Health and Well Being Board to determine whether to continue planned competitions and practices and relies on scientific data provided by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and the Air Quality Index (AQI).
 
The AQI for Berkeley rose above 200 (very unhealthy range) Thursday afternoon and remained at a high threshold for an extended time. We made the decision to reschedule the game based on this data and forecasts for Saturday that predicted no improvement. Based on forecasts, we anticipate that the AQI will be high enough Saturday to warrant modification of outdoor exercise based on the Pac 12 and NCAA guidelines.
 
How will tickets be handled?
Cal Athletics will honor all tickets purchased for the original date of the Big Game (Nov. 17) on Dec. 1. Please contact Cal Gold Standard with any questions or for additional information – (800) GO BEARS (462-3277) and press option 3.
 
Why did you choose Dec. 1?
Both Cal and Stanford have an open date on Saturday, Dec. 1. The date comes one day before bowl game bids are announced.
 
Why did you postpone the Big Game this fall and not last year's Washington State game?
Air quality levels were much lower during last October's game vs. Washington State compared to this weekend's scheduled Big Game. Last fall, the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Berkeley was 95 at game time, which falls into the moderate range. By the end of the game, the AQI was around 69.
 
This week, the AQI for Berkeley rose above 200 (very unhealthy range) Thursday afternoon and remained at a high threshold for an extended time. We made the decision to postpone the game based on this data and forecasts for Saturday that predicted little to no improvement.
 
Will Sunday's women's basketball game against Pacific be postponed?
No decision has been made for the women's basketball game. We will continue to monitor air quality inside and outside of Haas Pavilion, and will announce a decision closer to game time when we have more accurate information on conditions within the facility.
 
Are teams still practicing with the poor air quality?
When the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Berkeley surpassed 200 Thursday afternoon, all Cal Athletics outdoor team practices were moved indoors with modified workouts or were cancelled due to health and safety concerns. The policy will remain in place until the AQI falls to more acceptable levels for physical activity.
 
Was Justin Wilcox part of the process on this decision?
Yes, we consulted with Coach Wilcox throughout this process, and he is fully supportive of our decision.