NCAA cancels March Madness amid coronavirus fears

Due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, all NCAA Division I men’s and women’s tournaments have been canceled. 

The announcement came just 24 hours after the NCAA announced it would only allow limited guests to attend its upcoming events. 

In addition to March Madness, all Ivy League sports as well as SEC competitions, are canceled for the rest of the spring semester. 

The Ivy League Council of Presidents made the announcement Wednesday afternoon, noting that since several Ivy League schools have announced they will only be holding classes online for the remainder of the school year, it does not make sense to continue athletic practice or competition. Cornell University, Columbia University, Harvard University, and Princeton University have all announced they are canceling in-person classes through the end of the academic year.

The presidents clarified that individual schools will determine the fate of winter and postseason sports.

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Shortly after, the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced that it would be banning fans from attending all upcoming championship events, including “March Madness” Division I basketball.

NCAA President Mark Emmert informed the public that only “essential staff” and “limited family” will be allowed to attend the championship games.

”While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States,” Emmert said. “This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes. We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families.”

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Campuses across the country are shuttering as fear of the coronavirus mounts. 

Campus Reform is keeping readers updated with a regularly-updated list of campuses that have canceled in-person classes, here. 

If you know of any colleges that have canceled in-person classes due to the coronavirus outbreak, let us know by emailing contact@campusreform.org.

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