2019-20 ncaa tournament
2019-20 big ten tournament
coronavirus
last one out, turn off the lights [Marc-Gregor Campredon]

NCAA Cancels Remaining Winter and Spring Championships; Michigan Suspends All Athletics Comment Count

Ace March 12th, 2020 at 4:45 PM

What felt inevitable since yesterday has become official. The NCAA announced this afternoon that they're canceling the 2020 men's and women's basketball tournaments as well as all remaining winter and spring championships:

As COVID-19 continues to spread, the NCAA joins the NBA, NHL, MLB, ATP, Euroleague, Serie A, and many other sports organizations worldwide to either postpone or outright cancel upcoming events. This followed the stoppage of every power conference tournament and any other conference tourney that was still going on today. 

The Big Ten also announced that all recruiting activity in the conference will be halted for the foreseeable future:

And, just now, Michigan announced that all athletic activities, including practices, have been suspended.

If these monumental decisions haven't made it abundantly clear, this pandemic is very serious. Practice good hygiene, limit contact with groups of people as much as possible, and check in on your vulnerable relatives and friends. Stay safe out there; this is a whole lot bigger than sports.

You can find the Michigan athletic department's full release, including details on ticket refunds, after the jump.

[Hit THE JUMP]

The University of Michigan Athletics Department is closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 virus outbreak and its impact on our communities. The health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff is paramount as we assess the near and long-term potential impacts. This is a rapidly evolving situation. U-M officials and medical experts, in close coordination with the state and local public health departments, are closely monitoring for developments and will offer additional guidance and messaging as soon as it is available.

The university is watching guidance from federal, state and local authorities. The University of Michigan Athletics Department is taking the following steps beginning on Friday, March 13, with these steps superseding any announcements made previously. Updates will be communicated as soon as information becomes available.

UPDATES AS OF MARCH 12, 5 P.M.

§  The Big Ten Conference announced that it is canceling the remainder of the winter and spring sports seasons due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

§  In response, the University of Michigan has suspended all athletic activities, including practices, effective immediately, until further notice. 

§  To be clear, the University of Michigan will not compete or hold organized practices in any team or individual sport until further notice.

DONALD R. SHEPHERD DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS WARDE MANUEL STATEMENT

“Today, we took the unprecedented and proactive decision to suspend intercollegiate activities to protect the health and well-being of our student-athletes, staff and community members. This decision, reached in collaboration with the Big Ten Conference and campus leaders, was reached after thorough discussion and was necessary given the magnitude of this global issue. The hard work and dedication of our student-athletes, coaches and staff is a source of inspiration for so many. So, too, will be our response as we confront the spread of this global pandemic. On behalf of our entire department, I thank the Big Ten Conference, presidents and athletic directors, our head coaches and community partners who have offered input and unwavering support.”  

TICKETS

§  The ticket office will refund all single-game ticket purchases and all spring sport season ticket purchases. The Ticket Office will be contacting all accounts that purchased tickets once refunds are processed.

EVENTS

  • All third-party competitions or events scheduled to take place on/in U-M athletic facilities through the end of the Winter Semester (April 21) remain canceled. We will work proactively with all groups on refunds.
  • Outside events and outside groups scheduled on/in U-M athletic facilities after April 21 will be addressed on a case-by-case basis or until further guidance is available. 
  • The annual Big House 5K Presented by Toyota, scheduled for April 19, has been canceled. 
  • The U-M football open spring practice, scheduled for April 18, has been canceled.  

TRAVEL

§  For the health and safety of all involved, Michigan will not be allowing domestic or international air travel until further notice, unless for essential purposes, which will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

PRACTICE

§  The University of Michigan has suspended all athletic activities, including practices, effective immediately, until further notice. This includes activities for all fall, winter, and spring sports.

RECRUITING

  • For the health and safety of all involved, Michigan will not be allowing coaches to conduct off-campus recruiting activities or host recruits on official or unofficial campus visits during this time period.  

We will continue to monitor the developing situation and issue updates as determined. Additional guidance for the University community is available at https://publicaffairs.vpcomm.umich.edu/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/

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Comments

Medic

March 13th, 2020 at 1:46 AM ^

I'm so disappointed for the seniors at all these schools for whom this was their one opportunity to participate in March Madness. Baseball, softball, and all the other spring sports were jobbed too and the reality is getting them another year of eligibility probably isn't going to happen when the dust settles.

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