The premier college basketball tournament in the United States will be a lot less exciting this March after the president of the NCAA announced that only essential personnel would be allowed into the arenas.
“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,” read a statement from NCAA president Mark Emmert.
The move comes as the number of people infected in the U.S. rose sharply on Wednesday, eclipsing 1,100 cases nationwide. The number is expected to climb in the coming days and weeks as testing becomes more readily available. President Trump announced he would address the nation on the outbreak tonight at 9 p.m. EDT.
“This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes,” the statement added.
The tournament begins on Tuesday, March 17 and runs into April.
The Ivy League crowned Yale University its champion after deciding against holding a conference championship this week due to concerns of the virus spreading. In Italy, top soccer teams have played in empty stadiums for the month of March after the entire country was placed on lockdown.
Colleges around the country have moved to shutter in-person operations, with many universities asking students not to return to campus after their spring break periods have ended.
NCAA President Mark Emmert statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events: https://t.co/TIHHJjdse5 pic.twitter.com/8I1HdceDfN
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 11, 2020
