MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Big 12 announced Friday it canceled all conference and nonconference competitions through the rest of the academic year.
“Due to the on-going developments related to COVID-19 the Big 12 Conference announces that all organized team activities whether organized or voluntary, including team and individual practices, meetings, and other organized gatherings, have been suspended until March 29 and will be re-evaluated at that time,” the Big 12 said in a news release. “In addition, all conference and non-conference competitions are canceled through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year.”
This includes the WVU baseball, track and field, golf and tennis teams. The end of the winter sports seasons have already been canceled, including gymnastics, rifle, wrestling, swimming and diving, and men’s and women’s basketball.
“The announcement by the Big 12 to cancel the spring competition season is certainly disappointing but also is a necessity,” WVU athletic director Shane Lyons said in a statement. “We must take a precautions to ensure the health and safety of the league’s Universities, student-athletes and communities. All team activities have also been suspended until March 29 and then will be re-evaluated by the Big 12. The events of the past week have brought much sadness to our student-athletes, coaches and fans, but we must do our part to keep everyone safe.”
WVU baseball coach Randy Mazey, who had the Mountaineers off to an 11-5 start, also voiced his opinion.
“I’m really disappointed for our team, especially the seniors, but the health and safety of our kids takes precedence over baseball and always will,” he said. “This is one of those tough parts of life that our players will have to learn how to get through. They will have each other, and we will help support them in any way we can.”
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