UNC & ACC Cancel Spring Competition

CHAPEL HILL—Carolina Athletics has canceled all spring competition in accordance with the ACC's decision announced Tuesday morning (March 17).

"We must take this world-wide health crisis seriously — and we must continue to make the health and safety of our students, coaches, staff, fans and visitors our priority,'' said Carolina Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham. "These are challenging times for all of us, and it is important to make smart, consistent decisions to do all we can to lessen the spread and impact of COVID-19. We want everyone to stay safe."

All spring events are canceled, including these events:

USA Field Hockey vs. China, April 10-12
The RAMMYS on April 13
The Spring football game and all affiliated activities on April 18
The Lake Wheeler Invitational April 24-25

The ACC on March 12 indefinitely suspended all athletic-related activities including all competition, formal and organized practice, recruiting and participation in NCAA championships. The same day, the NCAA canceled the Division I men's and women's 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships.

Bubba Cunningham Joined the Carolina Insider podcast on March 19 to discuss UNC's response to the virus:
Listen Here

3/17/20 STATEMENT FROM THE ACC:

Following further consultation with the league's member institutions, and after previously suspending all athletic activities indefinitely, the ACC has made the decision to cancel all athletic related activities including all competition and practice through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. The unanimous decision was made to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19. Each institution will continue to work in accordance with its respective university and state policies related to its individual campus decisions.

"Our top priority remains the health and safety of our student-athletes as well as our fans, communities and the overall well-being of others during these uncharted times," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "We are particularly disappointed for our student-athletes and will continue to work with our membership to assess what is appropriate in the future."

TIMELINE
Tuesday March 17: UNC & the ACC Cancel All Spring Competition
Carolina Athletics has canceled all spring competition in accordance with the ACC's decision announced Tuesday morning (March 17).

"We must take this world-wide health crisis seriously — and we must continue to make the health and safety of our students, coaches, staff, fans and visitors our priority,'' said Carolina Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham. "These are challenging times for all of us, and it is important to make smart, consistent decisions to do all we can to lessen the spread and impact of COVID-19. We want everyone to stay safe."

Statement from the ACC (March 17):

Following further consultation with the league's member institutions, and after previously suspending all athletic activities indefinitely, the ACC has made the decision to cancel all athletic related activities including all competition and practice through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. The unanimous decision was made to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19. Each institution will continue to work in accordance with its respective university and state policies related to its individual campus decisions.

"Our top priority remains the health and safety of our student-athletes as well as our fans, communities and the overall well-being of others during these uncharted times," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "We are particularly disappointed for our student-athletes and will continue to work with our membership to assess what is appropriate in the future."

Monday March 16: Carolina Basketball Museums Close
In response to the growing spread of COVID-19 and to encourage social distancing, the Carolina Men's and Women's Basketball Museums will be CLOSED indefinitely, effective immediately. The University has canceled all on-campus gatherings of more than 50 people. For more about the University's response, see https://www.unc.edu/coronavirus/. Please stay safe.

Thursday March 12: UNC & ACC Suspend Athletic-Related Activities
"There is so much uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and things are changing so quickly nationally, that the ACC's decision is appropriate at this time,'' said athletic director Bubba Cunningham. "We know this makes a significant impact on students because there is such a limited time to compete in college. We particularly empathize with our seniors and teams who have worked so hard and are competing for national championships. The health and safety of our students, coaches, staff, fans and visitors is our priority. We appreciate everyone's understanding during this challenging time."

Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham talking about the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on Carolina Athletics. pic.twitter.com/QbBdlJ0gAG
— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) March 13, 2020

Thursday March 12: Statement from the NCAA
"Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men's and women's 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities."

University of North Carolina Athletics

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