ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Northwestern University women’s basketball team has entered the history books for the wrong reasons this season. On February 26, 2025, the Big Ten Conference announced the assessment of two forfeits for the Wildcats after the team opted not to travel to Los Angeles to face UCLA and USC due to serious concerns surrounding wildfires affecting the region.
The games were originally scheduled for January 12 and January 15, but as the clock ticked toward game day, smoke and skies filled with ash painted a dire picture for the Los Angeles community. The wildfires began just three days prior to Northwestern's planned travels, raising safety alarms for the team, which is still reeling from this unexpected and tragic event.
Head coach of the Wildcats faced the difficult decision alongside management officials, citing "ongoing wildfires affecting the greater Los Angeles area" as the main reason behind their choice to forgo the matches. Both the Bruins and Trojans were permitted matches against other teams, each credited with wins against Northwestern, boosting their records amid what has become increasingly competitive standings.
Mark Jackson, Northwestern's athletic director, expressed the university's acceptance of the Big Ten's ruling. "Northwestern Athletics accepts the decision by the Big Ten Conference to strictly apply the Conference bylaws as written, in issuing forfeits for missed competitions by Northwestern’s Women’s Basketball after the team’s decision not to travel to Los Angeles during the tragic wildfires in Southern California," he noted. Jackson underlined the rationale behind the Wildcats' decision, reaffirming the commitment to student-athlete safety and community concern.
While Northwestern holds onto the tiebreaker over Rutgers due to a previous win, the forfeits have jeopardized their already bleak standing—sitting at the bottom tier of the conference with only one regular-season game left against Nebraska on March 2. The Wildcats are now tied with Rutgers for 16th place, half-game behind Purdue, and the two-forfeit penalty could have serious ramifications for their chances at qualifying for the upcoming 15-team Big Ten Tournament.
The announcement set off waves of reaction, with some observers feeling sympathy for Northwestern, believing the Wildcats should not be penalized for prioritizing the safety of their players. Critics emerged as well, questioning whether the decisions of conference officials could have factored allowances for circumstances out of the university's control.
Big Ten rules dictate strict enforcement when it pertains to missed games, leading to the hard stance taken by conference officials, which impacted the standings. "Per Conference rules, forfeitures will be assessed to Northwestern. The Wildcats will receive two losses in the conference standings, and UCLA and USC will be credited with wins," stated the Big Ten Conference officially.
From Wisconsin to Indiana, discussions surrounding the decision sparked concern among athletics officials and enthusiasts alike. Many agreed on one point: health and safety must be prioritized. Social media echoed this sentiment, reverberated by both fans and former players advocating for equitable treatment even amid enforcement measures meant to uphold competitive integrity.
Looking forward, Northwestern still has the challenge of preparing for their final game against Nebraska, knowing the pressure rests squarely on their shoulders as they strive to finish the season with dignity and strength. Reflecting on the experiences of weathering not just the seasons of sports but also unforeseen disasters, Jackson conveyed his hopes for recovery within the Southern California community.
"We will continue to support our Women’s Basketball student-athletes and hope for a strong recovery for the Southern California region," he concluded, emphasizing not only the need for resilience within his own program but fostering compassion and collaboration with those affected by the catastrophic fires.