(CNN) The NCAA announced Thursday it is canceling March Madness, the men's Division I basketball tournament, and other winter and spring NCAA championships, due to concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"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," the NCAA said in a statement.

The decision involves men's and women's basketball tournaments in divisions I, II and III.

The men's Division I championship has been played every year since its inception in 1939.