WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 12, 2020 — The NCAA officially canceled all of its winter and spring sports championship events late Thursday afternoon. The decision was made as part of the NCAA’s ongoing response to the growing concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Events canceled included the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Atlantic Regional Tournament, set to be hosted by West Liberty University on Friday and Saturday, along with this weekend’s NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championships at Sioux Falls, S.D., which also featured multiple WLU participants.
Here is the text of the statement issued late Thursday afternoon by the NCAA’s Board of Governors:
“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.”
All tickets purchased in advance will be refunded in full at the WLU Athletic Department next week, beginning Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Individuals must present their tickets to receive their refund. Contact WLU Athletic Secretary Robin Brunner (304.336.8046) for information.
Additionally, at 6 p.m. today, MEC Commissioner Reid Amos stated: In the interest of the safety and well being of everyone involved in intercollegiate athletics and the public, the Mountain East Conference has suspended all athletic competitions indefinitely. The decision was made with unanimous support of the league’s Board of Directors following today’s decision by the NCAA to cancel winter and spring championships for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. For more information, please visit the Mountain East website.