Tournaments Canceled; College Hockey Season Over

CHN Staff Report

All conference tournaments and the NCAA Tournament were canceled Thursday as part of another whirlwind day in athletics and the world.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread throughout the United States, and is picking up the pace, which contributed to a crisis that snowballed hour by hour and led to the reaction of sports leagues everywhere.

There was hope yesterday that all would continue without fans in the building, part of a policy of "social distancing" that helps prevent the spread of the virus.

However, last night, it was learned that an NBA player contracted the virus, and the league immediately suspended operations. The NHL, MLS and Major League Baseball are all expected to follow suit. Worldwide, a Formula One team and large portion of a European soccer team have also contracted the illness, and sports everywhere have been canceled.

One after another today, sports conference in the U.S. were canceling events. Rock concerts, large and small, have canceled as well in recent days.

At this time, it is not expected the NCAA would crown a national champion for this season, or anything of that nature. It's possible individual awards, such as the Hobey Baker, will be named, but no word on that yet.

Government officials expect millions to eventually be infected. Slowing the tide is the only hope, they say, of not overwhelming medical facilities. Most cases are mild, but it's still unknown just how virulant and deadly the disease is. And the rate of infection and death is much higher than the flu, according to statistics so far, and there is no immunity or vaccination yet.

These factors have contributed to the growing concern.