THE REPORTER/WISH-TV
The impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the sports world took a dramatic turn on Wednesday, with effects being felt by high school, college and professional sports teams.
The most high-profile impact was felt by the NBA. Wednesday night’s game between the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder was postponed just seconds before tip-off when it was revealed that Jazz player Rudy Gobert had tested positive for coronavirus.
The Jazz later released a statement saying that a player (it did not mention Gobert by name) “tested negative for influenza, strep throat and an upper respiratory infection.” His symptoms diminished during the day, but a decision was made to test him for COVID-19.
“A preliminary positive result came back right before tip-off of the Utah Jazz-Oklahoma City game,” said the statement. “Subsequently, the decision was correctly made by the NBA to postpone the game.” ESPN.com reporter Royce Young said that Gobert was never at the Oklahoma City arena on Wednesday night.
After the referees were informed of the positive test, the players from both teams left the floor. After about 10 minutes, the game was postponed and fans were told to leave the arena. A short time after that, the NBA suspended the season. The postponement announcement was made during the Dallas-Denver game; that game was allowed to finish. However, a late game between New Orleans and host Sacramento was postponed; ESPN reported there was concern over a referee who was assigned to work that game had also worked an earlier Jazz game.
NCAA, BIG TEN RESTRICTIONS
The president of the NCAA said Wednesday that upcoming championship events, including the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments leading to the Final Four, will be conducted with essential staff and limited family attendance.
Later Wednesday, the Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday night’s men’s basketball tournament games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse will be the last to have an audience. Beginning Thursday, Big Ten men’s tournament games and all other Big Ten sports will be limited to student-athletes, coaches, event staff, essential team and Big Ten staff, TV network partners, credentialed media, and immediate family members of the participating teams.
Several conferences have men’s basketball tourneys underway prior to Sunday’s selection of teams for the NCAA tournament.
Emmert told The Associated Press that the men’s Final Four could be moved from Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium to a smaller arena. The NCAA will consider using smaller venues for regional sites currently scheduled to be played at the Toyota Center in Houston; Madison Square Garden in New York; Staples Center in Los Angeles and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
“The decision was based on a combination of the information provided by national and state officials, by the advisory team that we put together of medical experts from across the country, and looking at what was going to be in the best interest of our student-athletes, of course,” Emmert told the AP in an phone interview. “But also the public health implications of all of this. We recognize our tournaments bring people from all around the country together. They’re not just regional events. They’re big national events. It’s a very, very hard decision for all the obvious reasons.”
In Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corp. on March 26 and 28 will host the men’s basketball Midwest Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium. The men’s Final Four will be April 4 and 6 in Atlanta.
In Fort Wayne, Purdue Fort Wayne on March 28 and 30 will host the women’s basketball Midwest Regional at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The women’s Final Four will be April 3 and 5 in Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Emmert’s message on Twitter said, “The NCAA continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 in consultation with public health officials and our COVID-19 advisory panel. Based on their advice and my discussions with the NCAA Board of Governors, 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. While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States. This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes. We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families. Today, we will move forward and conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.”
Stacey Osburn, director of communications for the NCAA, said in an earlier message Wednesday, “The NCAA COVID-19 Advisory Panel recognizes the fluidity of COVID-19 and its impact on hosting events in a public space. COVID-19 is spreading in the United States, and behavioral risk mitigation strategies are the best option for slowing the spread of this disease. This is especially important because mildly symptomatic individuals can transmit COVID-19. Given these considerations, coupled with a more unfavorable outcome of COVID-19 in older adults — especially those with underlying chronic medical conditions — we recommend against sporting events open to the public. We do believe sport events can take place with only essential personnel and limited family attendance, and this protects our players, employees, and fan.”
The Atlantic Coast and Big 12 conferences also announced Wednesday that they would be playing without fans starting with Thursday’s quarterfinal rounds.
Indiana Sports Corp canceled the following fan events connected to the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday: IN the Game Block Party, Tournament Tailgate, Free Throw Competition, Boys Basketball Clinic, Big Ten Circuit on the Circle, and the Championship Sunday Pep Rally.
LOCAL IMPACTS
Several local teams have had their schedules impacted by the closings caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Earlier in the week, Avon Community Schools closed all of its schools after a student tested positive for coronavirus and another student showed symptoms of the virus. The schools are closed through March 20, after which Spring Break takes place from March 23 to April 3.
The Avon High School baseball team will play Noblesville in its opening games on April 10. The varsity will be a doubleheader at the Avon field, with the first game to start at 4:30 p.m. The Millers will host a junior varsity doubleheader that afternoon, beginning at 5 p.m. A C-team game doubleheader takes place on Saturday, April 11, starting at 11 a.m.
Two indoor track and field meets that were to involve Hamilton County teams have been canceled. Today’s WL Individuals meet at Purdue University is canceled, while Saturday’s Patriot Invite at Anderson University is also canceled.
The Carmel USA Wrestling Club sent out a notification that the ISWA Folkstyle State meet has been canceled.
