The final COVID-19 blow has been dealt to IU Athletics.
According to a release by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and all other remaining winter and spring NCAA championship events have been canceled. A release by the Big Ten moments later canceled all other conference and non conference competition by member institutions for the rest of the 2019-20 academic year.
The brief releases from each organization are below.
NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships
Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.
Big Ten Statement
March 12, 2020 4:22 p.m.
The Big Ten Conference announced today that in addition to the Men’s Basketball Tournament it will be canceling all conference and non-conference competitions through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year, and participation in all NCAA tournaments and competitions. In addition, the Conference has announced a moratorium on all on- and off-campus recruiting activities for the foreseeable future.
The Big Ten Conference will use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The main priority of the Big Ten Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus.
