On Tuesday afternoon, the ACC announced that due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) concerns, all athletic activities have been canceled for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year.
Here is the full release from the ACC on this decision:
ACC Cancels All Athletic Activities Through End of 2019-20 Academic Year
Following further consultation with the league’s member institutions, and after previously suspending all athletic activities indefinitely, the ACC has made the decision to cancel all athletic related activities including all competition and practice through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. The unanimous decision was made to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19. Each institution will continue to work in accordance with its respective university and state policies related to its individual campus decisions.
“Our top priority remains the health and safety of our student-athletes as well as our fans, communities and the overall well-being of others during these uncharted times,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “We are particularly disappointed for our student-athletes and will continue to work with our membership to assess what is appropriate in the future.”
And poof, just like that, there will be no Miami Hurricanes (or any other ACC School) sports until late May or June at the earliest. That means no spring football. No baseball. No softball (for those schools who have that sport). No track and field. No (insert sport). And, since the word “activities” is included in the decision, no on or off campus recruiting, either.
I get it. I really do. This is the right move to do the most good for the most people and I applaud the ACC for taking this stance, one which I’m sure some will deride.
I’m just sad, though, because I’m a sports fan.
Oh well. Time to read books, play video games, and blog, I guess.
I know you have strong feelings about this. Hop in the comments and let’s discuss.
(it’ll be a while until we can say this at a game again but....)