The NCAA will restrict fans from attending upcoming championship events, including the Division-1 men’s basketball tournament, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement in full from NCAA president Mark Emmert:

The NCAA continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel. Based on their advice and my discussions with the NCAA Board of Governors, I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance. 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. 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. Today, we will move forward and conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.

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The advisory panel’s statement:

The NCAA COVID-19 Advisory Panel recognizes the fluidity of COVID-19 and its impact on hosting events in a public space. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in the United States, and behavioral risk mitigation strategies are the best option for slowing the spread of this disease. This is especially important because mildly symptomatic individuals can transmit COVID-19. Given these considerations, coupled with a more unfavorable outcome of COVID-19 in older adults – especially those with underlying chronic medical conditions – we recommend against sporting events open to the public. We do believe sport events can take place with only essential personnel and limited family attendance, and this protects our players, employees, and fans.

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The decision to restrict fans from the men’s basketball tournament, as well as the upcoming Division-1 women’s basketball and wrestling tournaments, will particularly be felt in New Jersey. Rutgers is expected to make its first men’s basketball appearance in the tournament since 1991, while Seton Hall has Final Four aspirations and is a dark horse to win the national championship. Monmouth, Saint Peter’s and Rider are all in contention for the MAAC’s automatic bid to the tournament.

Princeton was also expected to be a bid contender in the Ivy League Tournament until that conference event was canceled - one of the first significant sporting events in the country to be wiped out by concern about the virus.

Rutgers, Princeton and Rider are all expected to have All-American and/or national championship contenders in wrestling.

NCAA source on whether media will be allowed into Tournament games: ‘Most likely but unclear at this point’ — Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 11, 2020

So far, here are the major U.S. sporting events impacted by the coronavirus:

NBA

MLB

NHL

The San Jose Sharks might host games with no fans, after Santa Clara County banned gatherings of 1,000-plus people for the remainder of March.

The New Jersey Devils released guidelines Tuesday for fans attending games at the Prudential Center in Newark

NCAA

NFL

Olympics

ESPN reports the president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee said Wednesday “there is no plan now to change our plans" for the 2020 Summer Games, which begin July 24.

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James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.