Big West Cancels Basketball Tournament Amid Coronavirus Concerns

Lake Forest CA

12 March, 2020

2:25 PM

Description

ANAHEIM, CA —The Honda Center will remain quiet, Thursday, with no squeaks of shoes or echoes of players shooting hoops from the court. The remainder of the 2020 Big West Tournament was canceled as of Thursday morning, officials say. The Big West Conference Board of Directors canceled the remainder of the 2020 Big West Tournament, a spokesperson said, citing "fluidity" surrounding the new corona virus, also known as COVID-19, and the ongoing need for social distancing. "The main priority of the Big West Conference continues to be the health, safety, and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans, and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus," they said. Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily. The Big West hash-tag of #LeaveALegacy now has new meaning for players and fans as the Big West Conference joins the Big Ten, SEC , and others to leave a far different legacy than just empty stands. Both UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton men's basketball programs merely forwarded the Twitter news from the Big West Conference thread, while fans chimed in with disbelief as the consequences surrounding COVID-19 continue to hit home. Thursday's men's basketball games would have included Cal State Northridge vs. Cal State Fullerton, UC Santa Barbara vs. UC Riverside, UC Irvine Vs. Long Beach State, and UC Davis vs. Hawaii. On Wednesday, the NCAA announced the annual March Madness tournaments, for men and women, would be played behind closed doors, with spectators limited to essential staff and family of players. The Big West Conference has announced that the league's basketball tournament has been cancelled, effective immediately.» https://t.co/4vbgiBadiL pic.twitter.com/bMbb1OKBZQ— Big West Conference (@BigWestSports) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/BigWestSpo... 12, 2020