Johns Hopkins and Towson have suspended their spring sports seasons due to COVID-19, effective immediately.
Hopkins athletic director Jennifer S. Baker announced March 12 that spring sports at the school are suspended through April 12, affecting the following programs: lacrosse, tennis, track and baseball. The men’s and women’s lacrosse teams are part of the Big Ten, while the rest are part of the Centennial Conference.
Towson announced March 12 it suspended its spring sports season indefinitely, affecting the following programs: lacrosse, baseball, softball, golf, tennis and track and field.
The Colonial Athletic Association (Towson’s conference) announced March 12 that it was suspending all spring sports “until further notice.” The CAA also canceled its women’s basketball tournament; Towson was set to play Northeastern in the quarterfinals at 2:30 p.m. March 12. The Tigers won the tournament last year.
UPDATE: UMBC has canceled the rest of its spring sports season due to COVID-19, the school announced March 12. The decision affects UMBC’s baseball, softball, lacrosse, and track and field programs.
Per a press release by UMBC, athletic director Brian Barrio sent the following letter to UMBC’s student-athletes:
Dear Retriever Student-Athletes:
As of today, UMBC has made the decision to suspend all Spring 2020 Retriever Athletics practices, meetings, and competitions to protect our community during the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.
This is not a decision made lightly — we know how hard you and your coaches have worked to prepare for this season and how much you want to compete this spring. However, there are times when our responsibilities as community members rise above our personal desires. In light of the national and global health emergency unfolding right now, it is clear that this is one of those times. Today, our number one priority is protecting the campus community (including you) from the spread of COVID-19.
At this time, the University has cancelled all in-person classes through at least April 5, and is taking every possible step to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Based on the information currently available from medical professionals, the virus appears to be highly transmissible. Exposing our student-athletes to extensive regional travel and shared contact with sports equipment and locker room facilities across the region puts our student-athletes at risk in a way that does not fit with the university’s values.
For international students, or those whose permanent residence is in an area of the U.S. dealing with community spread of COVID-19, or who for any other reason feel safer staying on campus, we will assist you in seeking an exemption from the requirement to leave campus. You can work with your coach and with Jessica Hammond on that process. For those that remain on campus while the campus remains operational, the weight room and other athletic facilities will be available for voluntary workouts on a modified schedule that ensures your ability to use them safely via social distancing.
My hope and expectation is that the NCAA will soon offer some guidance and flexibility on seasons of eligibility and other eligibility issues. We do not have answers on those issues yet, but the time will come when we can start to address them. When that time comes, Whitney Ames and the rest of our administrative staff will work closely with your coaches to make sure you are placed in the best situation possible with regard to the remainder of your collegiate athletic career. Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this challenge together. We look forward to the day soon when our focus can turn back to watching you compete on the playing fields.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Johns Hopkins Athletics