WHO officially designates coronavirus a global pandemic
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic; reaction and analysis on 'Outnumbered.'
The Ivy League announced Wednesday that it has canceled all athletic events through the remainder of the academic year because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision comes a day after canceling the conference’s men’s and women’s basketball tournaments which determine who receives an automatic bid to their respective NCAA basketball tournaments.
CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK FORCES SEATTLE'S PRO SPORTS TEAMS TO SWITCH UP GAME PLAN
“With further developments in the outbreak of COVID-19, the Ivy League Presidents are announcing their unanimous decision to cancel all spring athletics practice and competition through the remainder of the academic year,” the organization said in a news release.
“Individual institutions will decide whether or not winter teams and student-athletes who have qualified for postseason play will participate.
“In accordance with the guidance of public health and medical professionals, several Ivy League institutions have announced that students will not return to campus after spring break, and classes will be held virtually during the semester. Given this situation, it is not feasible for practice and competition to continue.”
CORONAVIRUS FORCES GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS TO PLAY NEXT HOME GAME WITHOUT FANS
Harvard, who was in the ECAC men’s hockey quarterfinals, announced its series over the weekend against RPI was canceled.
Some Ivy League schools were also top-ranked men’s lacrosse teams, including Cornell, Princeton and Yale, who were all ranked in top 10 of the latest media poll. The Dartmouth and Princeton women’s lacrosse teams were also in the top 20 of their media polls.
Ivy League student-athletes have not been in favor of the conference’s decisions.
LEBRON JAMES WALKS BACK CLAIMS HE WOULDN'T PLAY IF FANS CAN'T ATTEND NBA GAMES OVER CORONAVIRUS
Harvard Crimson men’s basketball player Bryce Aiken expressed his dismay on Twitter.
“Horrible, horrible, horrible decision and total disregard for the players and teams that have put their hearts into this season,” he tweeted. “This is wrong on so many levels and the @IvyLeague should do its due diligence to find a better solution. Everyone knows the risks of playing!”
Penn Quakers men’s basketball head coach Steve Donohue called pulling his team from the Ivy League tournament the “most horrific thing I’ve dealt with as a coach.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“To have to tell kids their seasons and their careers are over, while lacrosse teams are going off to play games and wrestlers are going to nationals,” Donohue told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "If you’re letting Yale go to the NCAA tournament — if they’d said across the board, we’re shutting down all sports, you’d understand.”
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.