There will be no March Madness in 2020.
The NCAA announced Thursday that all of its winter and spring championships have been canceled due to the ongoing concerns over the outbreak of the coronavirus.
This is the first time the NCAA will not host a Division I men's basketball tournament since the event was first played in 1939. It also will be the first year without a Division I women's basketball tournament since that event was first held in 1982.
The cancelation of these tournaments is disappointing for the athletes, coaches and staff who worked so hard during their respective seasons, but the NCAA made the correct decision to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved. Earlier Thursday, many of the conference tournaments for basketball were canceled.
The NCAA's decision comes soon after the NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS and other sports leagues suspended or delayed their seasons over the past 24 hours in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.