NCAA president Mark Emmert announced Wednesday afternoon that fans will not be admitted to the 2020 Division 1 men’s and women’s postseason basketball championships as the impact of the coronavirus is further examined, 247 Sports is reporting.
“March Madness” will be played but in empty arenas as the NCAA becomes the latest American entity deferring to caution in the outbreak of COVID-19 and its potential to spread quickly.
In a statement, Emmert the organization will move forward and “conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Little Rock’s independent college-prep school Pulaski Academy cancelled classes for the rest of the week after a students’ parent self-reported exposure to a patient who tested presumptive positive to the coronavirus.