4:20PM UPDATE
The NCAA has canceled all remaining Winter and Spring championships due to the Coronavirus pandemic. This includes the Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournaments, and College World Series, among many other events.
NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships: https://t.co/qzKAS4McEI pic.twitter.com/G6XreZx35E
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 12, 2020
Original story
On Thursday afternoon, the Atlantic Coast Conference suspended all athletic events for its member schools indefinitely. Here’s the press release on this move from the ACC:
“The Atlantic Coast Conference has suspended all athletic related activities including all competition, formal and organized practice, recruiting and participation in NCAA championships until further notice. The decision was made following consultation with the league’s presidents and athletic directors to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19.”
ACC commissioner John Swofford’s statement was similar in scope and tone:
“This is uncharted territory and the health and safety of our student-athletes and institutions remains our top priority. This decision is aimed to protect from the further spread of COVID-19.”
With Coronavirus — COVID-19 — being classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization yesterday, sports leagues and event organizers have started canceling events en masse. The NBA, MLS, and MLB have suspended their seasons. MLB has pushed back opening day at least 2 weeks. The ATP — pro tennis tour — is suspended 6 weeks. And more.
For the ACC to join the growing list of conferences suspending all athletic activity — practices, games, recruiting, and other visits — is the right move. This is bigger than sport.
While this is a serious situation, you can still take precautionary measures to protect yourselves and your families.
The formal declaration of a #COVID19 #pandemic does not change the fact that you can - and should - take these simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.
— WHO Thailand (@WHOThailand) March 11, 2020
Watch and share this @WHO video!
pic.twitter.com/4RZgrRVBlI
For the ACC and other sporting entities, they are taking the action of canceling games to try and quell the spreading of this virus.
And, again, this is the right move. I know that sports are a release for many people. myself, included, but this is bigger than that. And I, for one, am glad the ACC, and the many other leagues and event organizers, are making the right choice in this matter.
There is no timetable for the return of the affected sports.
Be safe out there and take the proper precautions, including WASHING YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY AND APPROPRIATELY.
We’ll talk soon.