It’s over for now. ACC suspends all league competition, practices, recruiting, more.
The Atlantic Coast Conference has spoken.
The ACC, the NCAA’s league to which the University of Miami belongs, released a statement Thursday afternoon that it “has suspended all athletic related activities including all competition, formal and organized practice, recruiting and participation in NCAA championships until further notice.
“The decision was made following consultation with the league’s presidents and athletic directors to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19.’’
Said ACC commissioner John Swofford: “This is unchartered territory and the health and safety of our student-athletes and institutions remains our top priority. This decision is aimed to protect from the further spread of COVID-19.’’
The University of Miami posted an announcement via Twitter on Thursday morning saying not only that spring break has been extended another week, but that ”home athletics competitions will continue but without fans.”
Now, those competitions are on hold.
For Miami, that means its baseball team (12-4), ranked as high as fifth in the nation by Baseball America, will possibly go without finishing one of its most promising seasons in years.
Hurricanes spring football practice had its first four of 15 spring football sessions last week before it broke for spring break. The Canes football program was to resume practice on Tuesday, March 17, but this edict obviously has put a close to football practice for now.
UM’s football spring football game had been scheduled for April 11, but is in limbo until further notice.
“UM Athletics and the University recognize that these actions may be disruptive,’’ Miami posted on its website Thursday evening, “but our actions are guided by the recommendations of leading health officials and by our priority to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our community.”
The UM Sports Hall of Fame already postponed its induction banquet, originally scheduled for April 2.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 10:37 AM.
