Following announcements from the NCAA and the Atlantic Sun Conference regarding the current coronavirus pandemic, the Kennesaw State Department of Athletics announced Thursday, March 12, that all KSU athletic competitions are suspended indefinitely, effective immediately.
“In support of the global community’s effort to limit transmission of the COVID-19 virus, and to exercise wise precaution in protecting the health of the entire ASUN family, the ASUN Conference joins the fight by suspending all intercollegiate competition, effective immediately, through at least April 5,” ASUN Commissioner Ted Gumbart said in a statement released on Thursday, March 12.
In the remaining months of the spring season, a total of 10 KSU teams were scheduled to compete in various athletic events. Several teams are facing the cancellation of more than half a season of play.
Although the suspension was put into immediate effect, the ASUN Conference has not announced whether all 2020 spring events will be canceled or postponed. For now, student-athletes at KSU will await the conference’s decision.
“Our Presidents’ Council will address the question of canceling all spring competition tomorrow, March 13, and we will update this statement as needed following the conclusion of that 3:00 p.m. ET session,” Gumbart said.
The conference’s decision came shortly after NCAA President Mark Emmert announced the cancellation of the 2020 Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, as well as all other remaining winter and spring championships, according to NCAA.com.
Initially, the NCAA planned to hold the 2020 Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments without the attendance of fans. On Wednesday, March 11, Emmert released a statement saying that games would be limited to essential team personnel and families of players. This decision would be nullified just a day later.
The NCAA is one of many athletic organizations that have decided to suspend competition in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The NBA announced its decision on Wednesday, March 11, after the discovering that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was infected with the virus.
The NBA’s announcement spurned immediate responses in from the NCAA and most other major sports — the most notable suspensions and cancellations made on Thursday came from FIFA, the MLB and the NHL.
In addition to the suspension of all athletic events, KSU announced on Thursday that on-campus classes and student-sponsored events or activities would be suspended until further notice.
This announcement resulted from the University System of Georgia’s decision to temporarily suspend instruction in order to assess the situation regarding COVID-19, according to the USG website.
For more information regarding COVID-19, visit the World Health Organization’s website.
Keep following the Sentinel for more updates.
